The Magpies were looking to improve their fortunes after an indifferent start to the season, with it being 604 minutes since they had scored from open play at kick off.
And they were dealt a major blow in their hopes as the team sheets were announced, with Gordon absent from the Newcastle team for the first time this season.
He was, though, spotted at Stamford Bridge having travelled down with his team amid the hope he would be able to be involved.
But he wasn't and failed to even make the bench for a tough fixture in the capital, and Eddie Howe explained why before the game.
Eddie Howe has provided an injury update on Anthony Gordon (pictured) after he missed his side's game against Chelsea
Howe (pictured) revealed that Gordon felt something in training on Friday and he had hoped he would play
'Gordon felt his groin in training on Friday,' Howe told Sky Sports. 'He travelled with the hope he would make the game but he hasn’t.
'It is an undoubted blow but Harvey [Barnes] comes in with his own qualities and I still like the team we have.'
Howe's side got off to the worst possible start when Nicolas Jackson fired Chelsea ahead on the back of good work from Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.
Newcastle continued to find things difficult without their main man, with Barnes seeing little of the ball in the early stages.
It was a far cry from what Howe had asked for before the game.
'We want to score goals and entertain and play well,' he said. 'The last game was a big step forward.
'I think you go through phases like this but I back our players and a little bit of confidence and we will return to normal.'
They did, however, equalise thanks to Alexander Isak.
Harvey Barnes took Godon's place on the left wing for Newcastle, replacing his team-mate
It was a slow start to the game for Newcastle, who went behind, but they did equalise in the first half
With a win, Newcastle could have leapfrogged Chelsea and got their European qualification aspirations back on track after a positive first few games before their decline.
Before the match, they had just two points from their last four matches.
Barnes was their top scorer going into the game with three this season, while Gordon has two to his name.