NEWCASTLE are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after Chelsea scored twice in the final 11 minutes to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw.

The Magpies were unrecognisable from the side that had lost the previous two home matches to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, but they were unable to hold out and remain rooted in the bottom three.

Leading through Ayoze Perez’s first-half strike, the Magpies must have thought they were heading for all three points when Georginio Wijnaldum headed home to double their lead on the hour mark.

But after Ramires pulled a goal back with a sensational long range strike, Willian’s floated free-kick evaded everybody to find the net with three minutes remaining.

Chelsea might even have won it had Tim Krul not produced a fantastic late save to deny Ramires a second goal, and while Newcastle can take a lot of positives from a much-improved performance, they will still be hugely frustrated at their failure to see the game out.

Steve McClaren made five changes from the side that was embarrassed at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, the most surprising of which saw Kevin Mbabu handed his first senior start at left-back.

Mbabu, who is a Swiss Under-19 international, was a second-half substitute on Wednesday, and he found himself saddled with the task of facing Pedro as he made his full bow.

Aleksandar Mitrovic returned to the starting line-up after serving a three-match ban, and the striker’s physical presence helped Newcastle post a much-improved performance from the off.

Bright, competitive and well organised, the Magpies were the better side throughout the first half, with their performance a marked improvement from either of their last two home displays against Watford and Sheffield Wednesday.

Chelsea created the game’s first opportunity, with former Newcastle striker Loic Remy stabbing wide following an 11th-minute cross from Branislav Ivanovic, but that proved a rare first-half opportunity for the visitors.

Newcastle went close five minutes later, with Wijnaldum, who was much improved in a left-midfield role, crossing, and Mitrovic glancing a header wide.

Moussa Sissoko dragged a low 20-yard shot wide of the target moments later, and with Perez’s movement in the ‘number ten’ role causing problems, Asmir Begovic was forced to produce two decent saves within a minute as the Magpies produced a sustained spell of pressure shortly before the half-hour mark.

The first stop denied Perez, who drove into the area to deliver a low strike, and the second thwarted Daryl Janmaat, who once again provided a considerable attacking threat down the right-hand side.

Krul was forced into action to keep out a long-range effort from Cesc Fabregas, but Newcastle claimed the goal their excellent first-half display deserved three minutes before the interval.

Vurnon Anita delivered an excellent deep cross from the right-hand side, and after ghosting between Ivanovic and Kurt Zouma, Perez converted it with aplomb.

The Spaniard has struggled to force his way into the first team under McClaren, but there was a lot to admire in the composed manner in which he took one touch to bring the ball under control, and another to drill it past Asmir Begovic via the inside of the left-hand post.

Chelsea’s first-half performance was so laboured it was hard to comprehend, and with Jose Mourinho having delivered some home truths at the interval, the visitors initially emerged with much greater purpose at the start of the second half.

Remy headed Oscar’s cross narrowly wide eight minutes after the restart, but with Mourinho poised to introduce Radamel Falcao and Willian on the touchline, Newcastle struck for a second time.

Perez swung over a corner from the right, and Wijnaldum escaped Fabregas’ clutches to glance an excellent header into the bottom left-hand corner.

Oscar curled a shot wide as Chelsea attempted to rally, but with debutant Mbabu and skipper Fabricio Coloccini performing excellently, Newcastle’s backline looked like holding out.

That all changed in the 79th minute, with Ramires picking up the ball in space and rifling a fantastic effort into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.

Worse was to follow for the Magpies, as Chelsea levelled with three minutes left. Willian swung over a free-kick from the left, and while Ramires failed to make contact on the edge of the six-yard box, his run distracted Krul, who could only watch as the ball sailed into the net.

The Newcastle goalkeeper redeemed himself moments later, as he flung himself to his left to keep out what would have been a Chelsea winner, with Ramires meeting Pedro’s cross with a powerful header.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Krul; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Mbabu; Anita, Colback (Obertan 53); Sissoko (de Jong 90), Perez, Wijnaldum; Mitrovic (Toney 84).

Subs (not used): Elliot (gk), Williamson, Lascelles, Thauvin.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic (Willian 61), Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar (Ramires 73), Hazard; Remy (Falcao 61).

Subs (not used): Blackman (gk), Terry, Mikel, Kenedy.

HOW NEWCASTLE FANS REACTED ON TWITTER:

Jimmy Smith. ‏@leatherheadlip  

"Thank you Ruud Gullet for saying how good #nufc played. every other pundit just saying how bad Chelsea played."

Chris ‏@Bettsy1Chris  

"Well, they've been slaughtered from all angles (deserved after Watford & Sheff Wed) but it'd be churlish not to credit #NUFC after y'day"

Proud 2 be a Geordie ‏@NicolaWintrip  

"Watches, toblerone, cheese,... then Kevin Mbabu is the next best thing to come out of Switzerland. #NUFC"

Alistair ‏@ajc_cook  

"Positives. We didn't lose. We tried. We scored. Mitrovic didn't get sent off. #nufc"

HenryHcode ‏@HenryHcode  

"We dont need to sign a new left back. No matter who this player might be. We have a 20year old who won 9 out of 12 tackles yesterday #NUFC"