‘Silly’… BBC pundit criticises 23-year-old Chelsea player in the Newcastle defeat

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Chris Waddle ripped into Chelsea’s Reece James after his red card in the crushing defeat versus Newcastle United.

Chelsea suffered a heavy 4-1 loss away to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, which has certainly burst any of the optimism that existed around Stamford Bridge before the international break.

Raheem Sterling’s epic free-kick cancelled out an opening goal from Alexander Isak to make it 1-1 at the interval. However, the Blues completely folded on Tyneside in the second period.

Newcastle went 3-1 ahead with quick-fire goals from Jamaal Lasscelles and Joelinton on the hour mark. Finally, Anthony Gordon wrapped up the scoring late on with his goal in the 83rd minute.

Reece James criticism

There’s not a Chelsea player from the weekend that should be feeling positive, including Reece James.

The 23-year-old Blues captain was sent off inside the final 20 minutes after picking up a couple of bookings, the first for needlessly kicking the ball away. His second yellow card was branded for a foul on Gordon.

BBC pundit Chris Waddle strongly criticised the Blues right-back after his dismissal.

“He just trips up Gordon and he is on a yellow. He didn’t need to do it and it’s a silly challenge and he is sent off,” Waddle told BBC Sport (4:35pm, 25 November).

Speaking via beIN SPORTS this week, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino called James one of the world’s best players. However, we suspect he’s in his bad books after some bad discipline today.

One step forward, two steps back

This Chelsea side simply can’t find any consistency in the opening months of this season.

We’re not quite sure what Pochettino will make of today’s events, with his players disappearing after a competitive first-half versus Newcastle.

There’s been a feel-good factor within the fanbase after the recent win against Tottenham and draw with Manchester City, but it was another reality check of why the team sit mid-table.

It’s not going to get any easier with matches against Brighton, Manchester United and Everton next.