14mins Campbell shot 1-0

40mins Boga shot 1-1

Half time: United 1 Chelsea 1

Full time: United 1 Chelsea 1

United reserves played their first home game for almost two months on Monday afternoon, registering a third consecutive 1-1 draw on Tyneside in front of a scattering of supporters at St.James' Park.

Despite the recent loan departure of James Tavernier and Haris Vuckic, the black and whites boasted no less than eight players with senior team experience - including a rare outing for midfielder Sylvain Marveaux. 

Newcastle took the lead against the run of play after 14 minutes, when midfielder Brandon Miele hesitated on the edge of the Chelsea box looking for a shooting chance. 

Striker Adam Campbell snuck up on his shoulder though to register his third goal of the season, this one a low effort from the edge of the box that eluded England youth international custodian Jamal Blackman.

Gabriel Obertan then came close to crafting a second home goal on 20 minutes, only for Sammy Ameobi to head a dangerous centre from the right over the crossbar.

That was the signal for the visitors to step up their efforts to chisel out an equaliser, Jak Alnwick rescuing his defence with a decent block to deny Isiah Brow.

What was shaping up into a watchable encounter then saw Obertan's goalbound shot blocked by a defender, before Alnwick was left stranded as Islam Feruz went for power rather than precision and blazed high and wide.

Another dangerous attack from United then ended with Blackman beating away Ameobi's effort, before Lewis Baker's volleyed effort from distance was scooped over the bar by Alnwick.  
  
The visitors deservedly equalised after 40 minutes though, when Jeremie Boga rifled in from 16 yards.

Into the second half and Marveaux was through one on one with Blackman barely 20 seconds after the restart, but the Chelsea 'keeper was equal to his effort.

Goalmouth action gradually became less and less frequent as both sides searched in vain for a moment of inspiration and the match looked to drift towards a stalemate. 

Campbell came the nearest to conjuring up a winner with one first-time effort after right back Lubo Satka and substitute Rolando Aarons combined. 

And the Toon forward then burst again forward in the closing seconds, only to drag his effort wide.

It's fair to say that nobody particularly caught the eye for the home side or gave the watching John Carver anything much to report to Alan Pardew.

As a fitness exercise, Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett continued their return to fitness while Obertan at least got some pitch time and Marveaux returned to the fold. 

Quite why Papiss Cisse wasn't given a runout at an almost deserted SJP to rediscover his scoring touch is unclear though - surely a golden opportunity missed.

Biffa