This was the Europa League final without the trophy, but the prize of winning for Newcastle is far greater.
Three more points and they will be in the Champions League next season. They knew what was at stake in this shootout at high noon. Much like the European final that awaits for Manchester United and Tottenham, it felt like the victors would be as good as guaranteed next season’s place in the continent’s premier competition.
You might even have been in Bilbao, such was the heat that beat down on St James’ Park. It was even hotter come kick-off, but Newcastle had the coolest man in the stadium in Sandro Tonali and, because of that, they grabbed a second-minute lead that would not be relinquished.
Not that it was straightforward for Eddie Howe’s side, who wilted and could not take advantage of Nicolas Jackson’s first-half red card. It was only in the 90th minute that Bruno Guimaraes calmed black and white nerves with a second.
But while Italy had Pope Leo and his first Vatican address, Newcastle had Saint Sandro. The home start was faster than anything they have produced this season, and that is a competitive field.
Big nights here against Chelsea and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup were particular blistering. But this threatened to rip the skin right off the Blues. Tonali was the early torch-bearer.
Newcastle rise to third in the Premier League after beating Chelsea 2-0 at St James’ Park
After Sandro Tonali’s early goal, Bruno Guimaraes (pictured) sealed the win with a late clincher
Chelsea’s task was made significantly harder by Nicolas Jackson’s dismissal in the first half
Romeo Lavia thought he had time when receiving a pass a few yards outside his own penalty area. He did not.
Tonali shot towards the unsuspecting midfielder quicker than the Geordies had the club’s free, pre-match pint. It was Chelsea who looked legless.
Tonali won the ball, gave it to Guimaraes and sent his Ferrari engine motoring for the goalmouth, where Jacob Murphy’s wicked delivery landed kindly for him to prod home. A goal inside two minutes.
That felt like the easy part, maintaining the intensity for another 88 would be far harder. In fact, it proved impossible, especially with Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman making their first starts since before the Carabao Cup final.
Chelsea were just gaining control when Jackson lost his own and landed an elbow in Sven Botman’s face in the 33rd minute.
There was no need to do what he did. A centre-back roughing up a centre-forward, maybe. But a striker trying to intimidate a 6ft 5ins defender who was always going to come back for more?
What gave the game away for Jackson was the glance towards Botman a split-second before contact, betraying his intent. John Brooks thought it was a yellow in real time but Stockley Park had access to the X-rated replays and so, after a pitchside review, off he went.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was soon booked. It could have been for his touchline protests or his salmon jumper. Either way, his team were stinking the place out.
The Blues striker was given a straight red card after a VAR check on this elbow on Sven Botman
Toon have almost qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons
Eddie Howe’s men need one more win to effectively secure a top-five finish this campaign
Enzo Maresca watched as his team stank out the game and got booked as they stayed fifth
But then, in the second half, they were the better side. Nick Pope, a spectator for an hour, needed his fingertips to deny Marc Cucuella an equaliser. Then, the same again, this time brushing over from Enzo Fernandez.
Newcastle were on the ropes. Then, in last minute of normal times, Tarzan swung to the rescue.
Guimaraes, the captain, took the ball 20 yards out and watched like 52,000 others in absolute glee as his deflected shot sailed over Robert Sanchez and into the Gallowgate goal. It was needed.
There was no silverware on full-time, but a pot of gold surely awaits.
