Steve Bruce has explained why his club lost to Chelsea at St. James Park on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors swept Newcastle aside after the Premier League returned following an international break.

Federico Fernandez’s unfortunate own goal put the Blues ahead after just 10 minutes before Tammy Abraham doubled the visitors’ lead just after the hour mark.

Steve Bruce said after the match that: “We got off to an awful start. To concede after 10 minutes makes it even more difficult than it already is.”

“First half in particular, maybe we were a bit too passive. Second half was much better but obviously you then open yourself up a bit and you chase the game higher up the pitch and unfortunately they pick you off.”

“The best spell in the game is where we unfortunately conceded the second one.”

“In terms of possession, they had possession and they had another big chance but we had one or two opportunities but didn’t quite take them.”

“They’re a very, very good side and as I said, when you go higher up the pitch against them, they can expose you at the other end.”

“It was a difficult afternoon and at the end of the day, Chelsea are a very, very good team.”

Phot Credit: Twitter/ChelseaFC