Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is taking away positives from his side's 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

The Magpies were resoundingly beaten away from home on Monday, with the Blues racking up comfortable amounts of possession and shots on target.

However, Bruce believes his team gave a good accounting of themselves, and insists they will be up for the relegation battle.

He told reporters: "We were excellent in the second half and in the first half we found it very difficult.

"The way they played the system they had, the two inside forwards we didn't deal with it well enough.

"Second half we got to grips with it and we were more aggressive - a lot of positives.

"First half was very difficult for us.

"With 10-15 minutes to go we can ask a question. We're disappointed with the first half if I'm being brutally honest we got back in the game in the second half."

Bruce added: "Defending you leave yourself a bit exposed, with the pace of Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham up the top - they're top class players.

"You have to get that balance right and we're still working on that.

"We've been hit with covid, illnesses and injuries but it's all part and parcel of this season.

"All teams are struggling with all the games we're playing and we've just got to keep going."