Maurizio Sarri was left to complain about the loss of Cesc Fabregas after another wretched midfield display by Jorginho.
The Italy midfielder was Sarri's first signing, for £57million, when he arrived in London from Napoli last July, but he was below par again against Newcastle, wasteful in possession and unimaginative with the ball at his feet.
His performance was a world away from those early-season displays in which he set the tone for Chelsea during their 18-game unbeaten start to the season.
Sarri couldn't hide his disappointment, saying that he would have substituted Jorginho for Fabregas if the Spaniard had not left on Friday.