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Enzo Maresca's men could have been dead and buried before half-time, with Nick Woltemade scoring twice inside the first 20 minutes, then missing a big chance for his hat-trick.

Woltemade's fourth-minute opener came after Anthony Gordon recovered possession high up the pitch, then outmuscled Malo Gusto to turn Jacob Murphy's delivery on goal, with the towering German firing in the rebound of his saved shot.

His second was assisted by an inch-perfect cross from Gordon out on the left wing. Woltemade poked out a toe to divert the ball into the far corner, with the goal surviving a video assistant referee (VAR) check for a possible offside.

Woltemade then prodded a near-identical Gordon delivery beyond the far post, while Lewis Miley sent a free header over the top as Newcastle settled for a 2-0 half-time lead.

That scoreline flattered Chelsea, but it was back in the contest when Reece James curled a spectacular free-kick past Aaron Ramsdale in the 49th minute.

After Trevoh Chalobah avoided conceding a penalty for a heavy challenge on Gordon, Joao Pedro capitalised on some poor positioning from Malick Thiaw to slot home in the 66th minute.

The momentum then swung back Newcastle's way late on, and it should have snatched victory when Harvey Barnes steered Bruno Guimaraes's pinpoint cross off-target, while Anthony Elanga also shot wide on the counter-attack.

James also avoided a stoppage-time sending off after another VAR review, as Chelsea held out for a point that keeps it six clear of Newcastle in fourth place on the Premier League table.

Joao Pedro was frustrated at the end of the match.

"I need to learn how to play this kind of game because you cannot draw this sort of game in the Premier League," he said.

"We knew it would be a tough game. We played better than them in the second half, we scored twice and we could have scored more goals," Joao Pedro added.

"We have got a point and we have to move forward. We didn't start well in the first half, and we conceded two goals very quickly.

"They play with the fans, and we know it is difficult."

Woltemade believed he delivered a display worthy of making up for his own goal in Newcastle United's Tyne-Wear derby.

"Last week was not a good week or a good game for me. When I came into the [Caraao Cup] game on Wednesday [Thursday AEDT], the crowd sang my name, which was lovely," Woltemade said.

"It was amazing, and I knew they still liked me even when I scored the own goal. I wanted to give a good performance today and I think I did.

"I just want to say thank you to the fans for still being good with me."

However, the Newcastle striker was left to rue his team's late collapse, a recurring theme for the Magpies, who missed the chance to climb into the top half of the table.

"Not good. We played an amazing first half with great energy and pressed really well," Woltemade added.

"But in the second half, we still did quite well, but it's unlucky we conceded two goals in two situations from which we normally don't concede.

"If you saw how we played in the first half, we can win against every team. I don't know why we conceded two goals. It happened.

"We'll keep working on it and maybe next time, we can play 90 minutes like that."

It was a sentiment echoed by Newcastle boss Howe.

"Difficult because we played so well today. An outstanding performance, especially in the first half. Devastated for the lads that we didn't get the win," Howe said. 

"[The first half] was a reminder of how good we can be. Athletically so good, and the press was excellent for us too, and we were a real threat.

"It's further evidence that we are improving. We need more of that."

Chelsea boss Maresca said he felt Chelsea could benefit from some more experience in its ranks.

"When you have a 20, 21-year-old and a player who is 30, 31 years old, and he starts to say something [to them], it's invaluable. But it's the strategy of the club [of younger players]," he said.

The Italian said he had been put through his “worst 48 hours” as Chelsea boss after the 2-0 win over Everton last week, but reiterated that he is satisfied with the direction his side is heading in after also advancing to the Carabao Cup semi-finals in midweek after a 3-1 win at Cardiff City.

"We beat Everton, we beat Cardiff and we drew Newcastle away. So in terms of results, I am happy," Maresca said.

"I just focus on what I can control, pitch-side, knowing that there is always noise you need to manage.

"My message at the end of the game is, for sure in the first half we could do better, but the character they showed in the second half should make them proud.

"My last week has not been complicated. It has been good.

"Again, there are things that for sure we can do better. But I think we are going in the right direction."