Chelsea manager launched attack on Newcastle ball boys after losing 23-match unbeaten run

Enzo Maresca travels to a place which has driven Chelsea managers mad on Saturday.

The Blues face Newcastle at St James’ Park – live on talkSPORT – one week since their boss made some unusual headlines in a post-match press conference.

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After being asked a question about Malo Gusto following the 2-0 victory over Everton, Maresca delivered a rant about the ‘worst 48 hours’ of his Chelsea career, hitting out at a lack of support from the club.

And his next opponents, Newcastle, have a habit of getting under the skin of Chelsea managers.

The Magpies have become something of a bogey team for the Blues, especially at home, winning each of their last three visits by an aggregate scoreline of 7-1.

Not even Jose Mourinho‘s dominant Chelsea team of 2014/15 could get a point from St James’ Park.

His side were beaten 2-1, suffering their first defeat of that season in December, ending a 23-match unbeaten streak.

And after the game, Mourinho took his frustration out on the Newcastle ball boys, accusing them of foul play.

“We wanted to play a lot more football but that was not possible because of things that I thought didn’t belong in top level football any more,” he told BT Sport after the game.

“My team lost the way I like to lose which is to give everything and being unlucky.

“The ball disappeared every time. We want to play but there is no ball. Then when the ball comes back there is another ball. Even during extra time they keep doing the same thing.

“It is very difficult for the referee to deal with that because the referee cannot punish any player. It’s the kind of strategy that unfortunately is still part of the game.

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“We were very unlucky. We did not deserve this result, but we have to accept it and move on.

“Unfortunately, time-wasting is still part of the game. Things were happening outside the pitch that the referee couldn’t control.”

‘Very, very, very, very, very angry’

More recently, ex-Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was left angered by a trip to Newcastle – and he really could not stress that enough.

In contrast to Mourinho, Pochettino was frustrated by his own team’s display as a toothless Chelsea were thumped 4-1 in November 2023.

Speaking afterwards, the Argentine said: “We didn’t show that we were playing for something important.

“Even if Newcastle weren’t great, it was an easy win for them to prepare for the Champions League. We had to show that it’s going to be difficult for them to play, to win the game and to beat us.

“But it was really easy in the way that we conceded and the way that we were so soft in every single challenge.

“That’s what makes me angry and disappointed. We talk about being a young team and we have to learn, but I think these type of games make me very, very, very, very, very angry because it’s about showing your personality and character.

“OK, we are young as a team, but we cannot lose this type of opportunity to show our best.”

Can Maresca break the curse on Saturday? Or will there be more post-match fireworks? Find out live on talkSPORT.