Alan Shearer names Chelsea star who completely changed the game against Newcastle

Alan Shearer says Newcastle ‘couldn’t get near’ Chelsea after Reece James’ goal (Picture: BBC)

Alan Shearer says Reece James was the game changer in Chelsea ’s 2-2 Premier League comeback draw at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Two goals from Nick Woltemade put Newcastle in firm control before James scored an brilliant free-kick from 25 yards out for the away side.

Joao Pedro then netted the equaliser for Chelsea in the 66th minute as both sides gained a point at St James Park in a thrilling match.

‘If you ever need evidence of goals changing games, that’s exactly what happened to Chelsea following Reece James’ free-kick,’ Newcastle icon Shearer told the Premier League website after the draw between the clubs.

‘It just flipped. Newcastle couldn’t get near that Chelsea team [after James’ goal].

‘Chelsea moved it a lot quicker, they had more width, their wingers got into the game and started asking questions, they didn’t do that in the first half.’

Reece James scored a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards out (Picture: Getty)

James scored the first direct free-kick goal by any player against Newcastle in the Premier League since Raheem Sterling also scored one for Chelsea at St James’ Park in November 2023.

Chelsea captain James has two league goals this season, as many as he netted in 2022-23 (one), 2023-24 (0), and 2024-25 (one) combined.

Speaking to TNT Sports about his superb free-kick after the match, James said: ‘To execute one when we needed to pull something out of the bag was a great feeling.

Enzo Maresca hailed Reece James for his ‘top performance’ (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s a difficult place to come, many teams come here and the atmosphere gets the better of a lot of teams. It’s important when you can’t win, not to lose.’

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Quizzed about James in his post-match press conference, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said: ‘[It was a] top performance.

‘He played for an hour as a midfielder and for the last half an hour, he was as a full-back. We are happy for him.’

Speaking more generally about Chelsea’s draw at Newcastle, James added: ‘It was a game of two halves. In the first half, they got the better of us.

Nick Woltemade Joao Pedro Comeback Enzo Maresca Premier League Chelsea Newcastle United Reece James

Why Enzo Maresca faces another ban after Chelsea draw at Newcastle:Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will miss the next match against Aston Villa due to a suspension after receiving his third yellow card of the season during the 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

Three things we learned from Chelsea draw as Enzo Maresca team talk works wonders:Chelsea fought back from 2-0 down at halftime to draw 2-2 at Newcastle. Nick Woltemade scored twice for the hosts, but Reece James and Joao Pedro netted in the second half to salvage a point for the Blues.

Newcastle wilt again as Chelsea comeback exposes key flaw:Joao Pedro's 66th-minute equalizer salvaged a 2-2 draw for Chelsea at Newcastle, who led 2-0 early through Nick Woltemade's brace. Reece James' free-kick sparked the Blues' comeback, ending their three-game losing streak at St James' Park.

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Alan Shearer names Chelsea star who completely changed the game against Newcastle

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