Jose the fall guy as Toon turn it on

Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 0

The displays paint a fascinating picture of a rich history, one which gives more than a nod to the myriad of vicissitudes they depict, wildly contrasting peaks and troughs in the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde levels of consistency at St James’ Park down the decades.

Mourinho’s Chelsea became unwitting fall guys in adding another small part to that roller-coaster reputation, succumbing to a defeat that was in the end as comprehensive as it was surprising, given that a torrid week of derby defeat to Sunderland and League Cup exit to Manchester City hardly produced the perfect backdrop against which to plot the ultimately successful bid to secure only a second home win in eight attempts in the league.

Given that this defeat also stemmed a six-game winning run for Chelsea, only the most astute or perhaps fool-hardy Newcastle supporter would have wagered a significant amount on Newcastle stretching Mourinho’s winless Premier League run here, a turn-up that had the exasperated Portuguese looking to the heavens within Tyneside’s seat of footballing worship.

“We lost to Sunderland, who were bottom, and now beaten Chelsea, who could have gone top,” Loic Remy, whose confident late finish for his sixth goal since joining on loan from QPR sealed the win, said.

“Results like that are not only typical of Newcastle, but of the Premier League in general. This league is so alive with strange results, you just never know what’s going to happen.”

The woodwork and a goal-line clearance thwarted first-half John Terry headers from corners, in what was initially assumed to be merely a stay of execution for the hosts.

However, they proved to be high points for Chelsea, who were irrevocably forced on the back foot after the break, Newcastle recovering from their initial inertia to exert sufficient control for Yoan Gouffran to send a stooping header from Yohan Cabaye’s inviting free-kick past Petr Cech. They never looked back, and Mourinho was left to sharpen the sledgehammer sound-bites that would be greedily lapped-up by reporters.

Having initially lambasted his players in public — “I made 11 mistakes with my team selection” — in private, the Special One proved to be more of the laid back one for the time being, at least. “After the match it’s time to cool down,” he insisted.

“In general, I never say anything to them immediately after a game. I will address it with my players tomorrow.”

Having threatened mild violence against his opposite number before the match ]should there a repeat of his Stamford Bridge crowd-surfing goal celebrations on Tyneside — a threat he never remotely looked like having to deliver on — the after-match glow prompted from Pardew comedy, rather than pantomime thuggery.

“Someone said to me my record isn’t very good against Jose Mourinho,” he added.

“If I was a bit sharper or wittier I would have said neither is Arsene Wenger’s.

“The gentleman that Jose is means he is honest enough to pat us on the back and say well done. You don’t always get that from top coaches and managers, and I thank him for that. Jose’s still the man, but it’s been my day today.”

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Krul 8; Debuchy 8, Williamson 8, Yanga-Mbiwa 8, Santon 8; Sissoko 7, Cabaye 7, Tiote 6 (Anita 53, 8), Gouffran 8 (Obertan 85, 5); Remy 8, Shola Ameobi 6 (Cisse 62, 6).

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 5, Luiz 5, Terry 4, Cole 5; Ramires 5, Lampard 7 (Schurrle 70, 4); Oscar 5, Mata 6 (Willian 62, 6), Hazard 6; Torres 6 (Eto’o 62, 5).

Referee: Lee Mason 7