Chelsea recovered from a two-goal deficit to deny Newcastle United their first Premier League win this season following a high-energy 2-2 draw at St James' Park tonight.

Ayoze Perez fired the hosts into a deserved half-time lead, before Georginio Wijnaldum propelled the winless Magpies into dreamland with a second on the hour mark.

However, Ramires threw the Blues a huge lifeline with a fine strike on 79 minutes, before Willian's deceptive free kick earned a point for the stuttering champions.

Here, Sports Mole dissects how the players fared in the North East.

Goal

Tim Krul: Completely blameless for the first goal but some would argue that he was partially at fault for not stopping Willian's free kick for the equaliser. (6/10)

Defence

Daryl Janmaat: Despite being a right-back, the Dutchman was arguably Newcastle's best attacking player in the first half and he grabbed an assist for the opener. Barely ventured forward after the break, but helped shackle Hazard. (7/10)

Chancel Mbemba: Excellent alongside Coloccini and pulled off one superb block to keep out what would have been goal of the season so far following Hazard's mazy run. (7/10)

Fabricio Coloccini: The Argentine was that bit better than his defensive teammates tonight. He was in the right place, at the right time, far too often for it to be coincidence. (8/10)

Kevin Mbabu: One of the many positives for Newcastle tonight was the display of Mbabu, who marked his debut with a fine showing at left-back, constantly thwarting Pedro and Hazard. Only 20 and, worryingly for Premier League wingers, will improve. (7/10)

Midfield

Jack Colback: Excellent in the first half but a knock curtailed his involvement early in the second half. (7/10)

Vurnon Anita: Fearless performance from the diminutive midfielder as he threw himself in front of a host of blocks in both halves. (6/10)

Moussa Sissoko: Certainly did not shirk his defensive duties, but the Frenchman conceded a silly free kick which led to the Willian's gut-wrenching equaliser. (6/10)

Georginio Wijnaldum: Netted his second goal for the Magpies by heading home a Perez corner, but found himself on the fringes more or less throughout the clash. (6/10)

Attack

Ayoze Perez: Opened the scoring with an excellent goal, but saw less and less of the ball in the second half. He did, however, swing in the corner which Wijnaldum headed home. (8/10)

Aleksandar Mitrovic: Got through plenty of defensive work but did not look a focal point that can steer Newcastle away from the danger zone. Still early in his Premier League career, though. (5/10)

Substitutes

Gabriel Obertan: Replaced Colback and his speed on the counter caused Chelsea problems, though the vast majority of his cameo was defence-based. (6/10)

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Made two good saves to keep out Janmaat and Perez before the opener, and could do little about either goal. Good, albeit quiet performance from the ex-Stoke City man. (7/10)

Defence

Branislav Ivanovic: May come under fire from some sections for his mix-up with Zouma for the opening goal, though replays should exonerate him somewhat. (6/10)

Gary Cahill: Arguably the prime reason why Mitrovic was seemingly ineffective. Chelsea's best defender tonight. (7/10)

Kurt Zouma: Will not be surprised if he is replaced by John Terry for Champions League duty next week after his error led to Perez's opener. (5/10)

Cesar Azpilicueta: Struggled with Janmaat in the first half, and shunned the chance to get his own back by not contributing much to the attack after the break. (5/10)

Midfield

Nemanja Matic: Perez had his number as the Serbian struggled with the diminutive playmaker. Hauled off midway through the second half. (5/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Made little to no effort to mark Wijnaldum in the lead-up to Newcastle's second. Also rather ineffective at the other end once more. Continues to baffle. (4/10)

Oscar: Curled just wide at 2-0 down but that was one of very few bright moments for the Brazilian, who came off for Ramires. (5/10)

Attack

Pedro: Drifted in and out of the game as he pleased, though Mbabu kept him quiet for the most part. Spurned a glorious chance to score Chelsea's second but blazed over. (5/10)

Eden Hazard: Only came to life when Chelsea were given a lifeline by Ramires in what was another very inconsistent display from the Belgian. (5/10)

Loic Remy: Endured an anonymous return to St James' Park as he tried and failed to minimise the absence of the suspended Diego Costa. (4/10)

Substitutes

Radamel Falcao: No impact whatsoever after replacing Remy. (4/10)

Ramires: Saved the game for Chelsea when his 79th-minute bullet gave them the foundations for a comeback. (7/10)

Willian: Delivered the free kick which deceived Krul and ultimately won Chelsea a point. (7/10)