Nick Woltemade believed he delivered a show worthy of constructing up for his personal aim in Newcastle United’s Tyne-Put on derby defeat throughout Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Woltemade scored twice at St. James’ Park, opening the scoring within the fourth minute earlier than doubling up 16 minutes later with a high-quality end from Anthony Gordon’s pinpoint cross.
Certainly, the German worldwide grew to become simply the fourth participant to attain twice inside the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League recreation, after Robbie Fowler for Liverpool in November 1994, Paul Scholes for Manchester United in October 1995, and Sergio Aguero for Manchester Metropolis in February 2019.
Nonetheless, Eddie Howe’s staff have been unable to carry on to their two-goal benefit, with Reece James’ gorgeous Forty ninth-minute free-kick hauling Chelsea again into the sport.
And the comeback was full simply after the hour when Joao Pedro latched on to Robert Sanchez’s lengthy punt ahead earlier than side-footing the ball into the bottom-right nook.
However away from the consequence, Woltemade was happy along with his personal private efficiency, having was his personal internet throughout final weekend’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland.
He additionally completed the competition with team-high totals for photographs (three) and touches within the opposition field (5) earlier than being changed by Yoane Wissa within the 73rd minute.
“Final week was not a great week or a great recreation for me. Once I got here into the [EFL Cup] recreation on Wednesday, the group sang my identify, which was beautiful,” Woltemade mentioned.
“It was superb, and I knew they nonetheless appreciated me even once I scored the personal aim. I wished to provide a great efficiency at this time and I feel I did.
“I simply wish to say thanks to the followers for nonetheless being good with me.”
4 – Nick Woltemade is the fourth participant to attain twice inside the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League recreation towards Chelsea, after Robbie Fowler for Liverpool (Nov 1994), Paul Scholes for Manchester United (Oct 1995), and Sergio Agüero for Manchester Metropolis in (Feb 2019). Speedy. pic.twitter.com/ra68yipFog
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2025
Nonetheless, the Newcastle striker was left to rue his staff’s late collapse, a recurring theme for the Magpies, who missed the prospect to climb into the highest half of the desk.
No facet has misplaced extra factors from successful positions within the Premier League this season than Newcastle (13, degree with Brentford forward of the matches afterward Saturday).
It was additionally the primary time the Magpies did not win a league match during which they led by two or extra objectives since August 2022 towards Manchester Metropolis (3-3), ending a run of 40 successive wins from such a place.
“Not good. We performed a tremendous first half with nice vitality and pressed rather well,” Woltemade added.
“However within the second half, we nonetheless did fairly nicely, but it surely’s unfortunate we conceded two objectives in two conditions from which we usually don’t concede.
“Should you noticed how we performed within the first half, we will win towards each staff. I don’t know why we conceded two objectives. It occurred.
“We’ll hold engaged on it and possibly subsequent time, we will play 90 minutes like that.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Newcastle boss Howe, who noticed his facet have seven photographs (5 on track) to Chelsea’s 4 (none on track), six large probabilities to none, and 1.97 anticipated objectives (xG) to 0.24.
However within the second half, Enzo Maresca’s staff led in photographs with 9 (4 on track) to 4 (none on track) and on xG with 1.02 to 0.29.
“Troublesome as a result of we performed so nicely at this time. An impressive efficiency, particularly within the first half. Devastated for the lads that we didn’t get the win,” Howe mentioned.
“[The first half] was a reminder of how good we will be. Athletically so good, and the press was glorious for us too, and we have been an actual menace.
“It’s additional proof that we’re enhancing. We want extra of that.”
