Alexander Isak broke the deadlock for the hosts, firing home from Lewis Miley’s impressive pass, before Raheem Sterling’s free-kick levelled the scoring for the Blues in a lively first half, with Kieran Trippier’s free-kick striking the crossbar before the break.
The Magpies netted two goals in the space of 90 seconds after the restart, with Jamaal Lascelles’ header restoring Newcastle’s lead on the hour mark before Joelinton doubled United's advantage 60 seconds later, capitalising on Thiago Silva’s defensive error before blasting home.
Chelsea captain Reece James was sent off in the closing stages, picking up a second bookable offence, before Anthony Gordon added gloss to the scoreline with his third consecutive league goal at St. James' Park as Eddie Howe’s side moved into sixth place of the English top-flight.
In the 13th minute, Newcastle opened the scoring as Isak, returning from injury, netted his seventh Premier League goal of the 2023/24 campaign. After Gordon fizzed the ball into Miley’s path, the 17-year-old midfielder picked out Isak inside the penalty area before the Swedish forward cooly placed the ball beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Miley, who became Newcastle's youngest Premier League debutant in May after featuring against Chelsea on the final day of the 2022/23 season, almost turned from provider to goalscorer after Kieran Trippier’s cross from the left flank was cleared into the path of the Stanley-born teenager but his half volley was blocked.
Newcastle found themselves on level terms ten minutes later as Sterling equalised for the Blues. After the Chelsea winger advanced towards goal before being brought down by Trippier, the England international fired the resulting set-piece over the United wall and beyond Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The Magpies almost regained their one-goal cushion in quick fashion as Trippier’s in-swinging corner was met by an unmarked Joelinton but the Brazil international’s close-range header was directed wide of the right-hand post.
Pope, making his 50th Premier League appearance for Newcastle, produced an important stop to prevent Chelsea from taking the lead. After Enzo Fernández latched onto Reece James’ cutback, the Argentine’s fierce strike was crucially pushed around the right-hand post by the England international before holding Benoît Badiashile’s header from the resulting corner.
Connor Gallagher almost punished the hosts shortly after as the Blues midfielder capitalised on Pope’s intended clearance but could only direct a tame low effort wide of the target.
With the half-time whistle approaching, Newcastle went agonisingly close to retaking the lead as Trippier’s curling free-kick cannoned off the top of the crossbar.
In the 60th minute, Newcastle restored their lead through Lascelles’ header as the Magpies skipper latched onto Gordon’s in-swinging cross from the left flank before heading the ball into the left-hand corner.
United netted a third goal in the afternoon as Joelinton netted his first goal of the 2023/24 season. After capitalising on Thiago Silva’s pass to Sánchez, the Brazilian midfielder cooly fired a low effort home in front of a raucous Gallowgate End.
Chelsea were reduced to ten men in the closing stages as James received his marching orders from referee Simon Hooper, accruing a second yellow card after the Blues right-back halted Gordon’s passage down the left wing.
Fabian Schär went close to netting an impressive solo effort as the Switzerland international advanced towards goal, evading a number of challenges, before the defender’s strike from the edge of the box was beaten away by Sánchez.
In the 83rd minute, Newcastle extended their lead as Gordon netted his fifth league goal of the 2023/24 campaign. After racing onto Miguel Almirón’s pass, the Liverpool-born forward cut inside before drilling a low effort into the far right-hand corner.
There were also Premier League debuts for young trio Alex Murphy, Amadou Diallo and Michael Ndiweni, all products of United's Academy, to round off a positive afternoon for Eddie Howe's side.
