Reece James’s needless red card summed up the Blues’ woe as injury-hit Newcastle returned to the top six with a 4-1 win.
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Sterling cancelled out Alexander Isak’s opener midway through the first period.
But Jamaal Lascelles and Joelinton fired home for a sturdier Toon side midway through the second period.
And Anthony Gordon was given far too much space for their late fourth goal.
Here’s how Chelsea rated on a dire afternoon for their defenders
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 5
Had little chance with any of the goals as Chelsea crumbled on Tyneside. Pulled off a couple of decent stops but has now conceded eight in the last two games.
REECE JAMES – 4
Terrible afternoon for the Blues skipper. Handed a first yellow for kicking the ball away before he was given his marching orders for pushing Anthony Gordon over losing the ball.
THIAGO SILVA – 3
On the day he became Chelsea’s oldest ever outfield player at 39 years and 64 days, the Brazilian was looking supreme until he really did look his age for Newcastle’s third.
Given the ball by Cole Palmer, Silva turned to play back to Robert Sanchez but lost his head and scuffed the pass, providing a perfect assist for Joelinton to bury. Dreadful.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 4
Restricted the Magpies early on but at the heart of a Chelsea defence that fell to pieces in the second half. Nowhere to be seen for Jamaal Lascelles’ header and worryingly weak attempt at stopping Anthony Gordon for the fourth.
MARC CUCURELLA – 4
The sleeping Spaniard went walkies for Newcastle’s opener, inexplicably leaving Alexander Isak free to finish.
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Just the latest example of his lack of concentration and he offered nothing going forward.
LESLEY UGOCHUKWU – 5
The French youngster, 19, relished the battle in the middle of the park on just his second Prem start but struggled to make any impact. Bizarre to see him start ahead of Moises Caicedo.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 5
Started well, ticking things over and driving Chelsea forward. Forced Nick Pope into a smart stop but could not handle the heat as Newcastle steamrollered them after the break. Newcastle’s 17-year-old Lewis Miley looked much better than the £106million World Cup winner.
COLE PALMER – 4
Upstaged by Raheem Sterling on the other flank. Quiet after his brilliant recent form, dispossessed numerous times and made life easy for Toon’s full-backs.
CONOR GALLAGHER – 4
Butchered a golden chance after being gifted a golden opportunity by Pope to put Chelsea 2-1 up, scuffing horribly off his left peg. Proved a huge miss as the west Londoners were then blown away.
RAHEEM STERLING – 7
Kept up his superb form with a stunning Ronaldo-esque free-kick to pull Chelsea back level.
Went down softly on the edge of the box but the strike was sublime, leaving Pope rooted to the spot as his fifth goal of the season flew into the top left corner.
Battered by Newcastle fans all afternoon.
NICOLAS JACKSON – 4
Anonymous before being hooked. His goalscoring record is impressive but serious doubts persist over whether he is actually any good.
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SUBS
ARMANDO BROJA (for Jackson, 68mins) – 5
MOISES CAICEDO (for Ugochukwu, 6mins) -5
MYKHAILO MUDRYK (for Gallagher, 68 mins) – 5
LEVI COLWILL (for Palmer, 75) – 5
NONI MADUEKE (for Sterling, 87mins) – 5
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