4 mins Following one unsuccessful nibble, Anthony Gordon robbed Wesley Fofana in a central area of the Chelsea half at the second time of asking. Sandro Tonali collected the ball and immediately worked it to Bruno Guimaraes, who in turn helped it on to Jacob Murphy by the right touchline.

As he had in the opening stages of Wednesday's Fulham fixture, the winger's decision to centre without delay paid dividends, whipping the ball over before Marc Cucurella could close him down.

The cross evaded both Nick Woltemade and Trevor Chalobah in front of goal, but Gordon had made it to the back post ahead of Malo Gusto (whose pathetic attempt at feigning injury rivalled that of Steven Taylor at the same end against Aston Villa). Gordon's contact with the ball via what looked like his groin area bounced off the legs of Sanchez as he dived to his right, falling nicely for Nick Woltemade to slam into the roof of the Leazes End net from inside the six yard box. 1-0

20 mins Lewis Hall's free kick from a central area inside the Chelsea half was played out to Gordon, who had pulled away to the left touchline. He cut inside to avoid the ineffectual presence of Pedro Neto and whipped in a tempting right-footed centre that Nick Woltemade got his right foot to, sending the ball to the left of the diving Sanchez and into the far corner of the goal.

A VAR check that was delayed by the failure of the semi-automatic offside system eventually gave the goal, deeming that Chalobah had fractionally played the goalscorer onside.  2-0

Half time: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0

49 mins The merest suggestion of physical contact by Jacob Ramsey was enough to send Cole Palmer to ground in a central area outside the Newcastle area.

Following a prolonged pause that included numerous antics from Chelsea players, notably Joao Pedro attempting to distract Aaron Ramsdale.  Reece James curled  the free kick in from around 27 yards out. Ramsdale dived to his right but couldn't prevent the ball from going in off the post. 2-1

66 mins A wasted cross from the United left by Gordon gave Sanchez possession and he promptly launched it downfield to Joao Pedro, who got above Malick Thiaw to win a header before turning and brushing past the defender to regain possession.

Charging forward, the Brazilian striker swept a low shot into the net from just inside the box for his second goal at SJP, having netted here for Watford. Pedro has now faced United on five occasions in the colours of the Hornets, Brighton and Chelsea - and he's yet to finish on the losing side. 2-2

Full time: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2

Eddie Howe said:

"(It's) difficult because we played so well today. An outstanding performance, especially in the first half. Devastated for the lads that we didn't get the win.

On dropping points:

"It's painful for us because we have been in this position before. All we can do is learn from these experiences and try to improve. If we had those points back, we would have been in a different position."

Enzo Maresca said: 

"I think after the first half they deserved to win the game, for sure. From my point of view, after the second half, we deserved to win the game.

"I think after the second goal we scored we had three or four clear chances to score one more. They also had one more with [Harvey] Barnes that I remember, but overall I think a draw is the correct result.

"The key to the first half for me was the first goal we conceded, because after a few minutes we conceded a goal and the game goes in the direction that they want. So that goal we conceded for me was the key.

"Then in the second half, we scored twice, we could have scored more goals, we changed some things at half-time. But at this stadium, 2-0 down at half-time, you come back, it is not easy for any team.

"For sure in the first half we have things that we can do better, but the way they showed in the second half character, togetherness, they have to feel proud. Being 2-0 down against Newcastle away, in this stadium, in this noise, in this environment, it is not easy, not many teams could do that, and they have done it.

"Even if we were 2-0 down and the performance was not good, from the bench I could see that the plan we prepared was the right one. So the message at half-time was just to continue to trust what we were doing, it is a matter of scoring the first one, and if we are able to do that we have a chance to win the game.

"That was my message to them. There were no angry words today. Last week we won against Everton, during the week we achieved a semi-final, a draw away at Newcastle is an important result, but it’s always a chance to learn.

"Today there are many things we can learn from the first half, but also I am happy with the reaction of the players."

On Reece James:

"Once again he put in a top performance. He played for one hour as a midfielder and then the last half-an-hour as a full-back in his position.

"He is doing a fantastic job, not only for the goal, in general, so we are happy for him."