Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle: Blues finish below Crystal Palace in 12th place... as Kieran Trippier own goal cancels out Anthony Gordon's first goal for Magpies in Frank Lampard's farewell
- Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the first half for the high-flying Magpies
- Kieran Trippier then put into his own net after good work from Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling out wide
- Chelsea finished 12th in the standings after a dismal campaign this term with 30 points less than last year
All this game was missing come the end were the parasols and sun loungers. It is a bucket and spade that incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino needs, such is the depth of his rebuild.
The Argentine, who signed a three-year deal on Sunday, will inherit a bloated and imbalanced squad, high on value but low on self-worth. His first job will be to dig a hole big enough to dump those he does not want. He cannot arrive with a clean slate for all, this season has been far too grubby for fresh starts.
On a scorching final day in West London, another game passed without a home victory. Their last was against Leeds in early March.
Frank Lampard came in to what felt like a no-lose situation the following month, but leaves having seen his caretaker stint descend into a defeat - eight of them in 11 matches, in fact. His team have shown little fight, but the club legend used this farewell to land a few blows of his own.
'The seeds of the situation were sewn before I came in,' he said. 'There are things that need to improve. If anyone (new manager) wants to speak to me, they can pick up the phone.
![Anthony Gordon scored his first goal for Newcastle as they drew with Chelsea on Sunday in the final game of the season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71504211-12133835-Anthony_Gordon_scored_his_first_goal_for_Newcastle_as_they_drew_-a-6_1685299739328.jpg)
Anthony Gordon scored his first goal for Newcastle as they drew with Chelsea on Sunday in the final game of the season
![The incoming Mauricio Pochettino will need a bucket and spade to bin the players he doesn't want at Chelsea next season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71499187-12133835-The_incoming_Mauricio_Pochettino_will_need_a_bucket_and_spade_to-a-7_1685299739347.jpg)
The incoming Mauricio Pochettino will need a bucket and spade to bin the players he doesn't want at Chelsea next season
![Frank Lampard, who is departing the club again, leaves after taking the club to 12th in the table with just one win at the club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71505635-12133835-Frank_Lampard_who_is_departing_the_club_again_leaves_after_takin-a-8_1685299739351.jpg)
Frank Lampard, who is departing the club again, leaves after taking the club to 12th in the table with just one win at the club
![Newcastle, meanwhile, finish fourth and have reaped the rewards for smart off-the-field appointments and new signings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71505687-12133835-Newcastle_meanwhile_finish_fourth_and_have_reaped_the_rewards_fo-a-10_1685299829887.jpg)
Newcastle, meanwhile, finish fourth and have reaped the rewards for smart off-the-field appointments and new signings
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/22/71510263-12133835-image-a-23_1685309423133.jpg)
'We're not physically competitive enough. That is a strong opinion I have. The squad is too big. There are disillusioned players. Those situations have to be sorted now. It's hard to compete if too many players are in that middle ground (could be leaving). The dressing-room has been quiet since I came here. That reflects a lack of confidence in the group. Standards collectively have dropped.'
The success of Chelsea's visitors should not be lost on American owner Todd Boehly. Newcastle have replaced the Blues in the Champions League because of brilliant recruitment on and off the field - boss Eddie Howe has been transformational. Boehly, by contrast, has made an ugly mess of spending his pretty green. Chelsea, in 12th, have finished in the bottom half for the first time in 27 years.
They had 13 shots here and their only goal was scored by Newcastle's Kieran Trippier, who turned Raheem Sterling's cross into his own net on 27 minutes. A striker will be top of his Pochettino's wish-list.
Anthony Gordon had scored his first for Newcastle on nine minutes, turning in Elliot Anderson's low cross, but Miguel Almiron missed two one-on-ones before half-time.
Lewis Miley, 17, came on for his Newcastle debut in the second half and clipped the crossbar, while Joao Felix headed over from six yards at the other end in stoppage-time.
By then, though, both teams were in the departure lounge. They have spent the entire season travelling in opposite directions.
![Raheem Sterling celebrates with his Chelsea team mates after his good work led to Kieran Trippier's own goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71506773-12133835-image-a-11_1685300017240.jpg)
Raheem Sterling celebrates with his Chelsea team mates after his good work led to Kieran Trippier's own goal
![Joao Felix had a golden opportunity to net a late winner only to head over the bar from six yards out for the Blues](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71506831-12133835-image-a-13_1685300153245.jpg)
Joao Felix had a golden opportunity to net a late winner only to head over the bar from six yards out for the Blues
![Newcastle previously had attempts to seal the win with Aleksander Isak among the chances for the Magpies](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71506935-12133835-image-a-14_1685300219298.jpg)
Newcastle previously had attempts to seal the win with Aleksander Isak among the chances for the Magpies
![Mason Mount didn't play but came out to applaud the crowd ahead of a summer where he could potentially leave the club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/28/19/71506829-12133835-image-a-12_1685300110875.jpg)
Mason Mount didn't play but came out to applaud the crowd ahead of a summer where he could potentially leave the club
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Well done Frank, beaten once in the last 4 games. ...
by CharlieCooke 177