Chelsea made it four straight victories in the Premier League following a convincing 3-0 win away at Newcastle. After what was a poor first half showing from Thomas Tuchel’s men, the Blues improved as a brace from Reece James and a Jorginho penalty ensured the three points were heading back to West London.
Pre-Match
Thomas Tuchel rotated heavily for Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup game against Southampton and returned to a near enough full strength side against the Magpies. The Blues made three changes from last Saturday’s 7-0 thrashing of Norwich in the Premier League.
Andreas Christensen returned to the side following a tooth operation as he replaced Trevoh Chalobah in the back three. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic was ruled out through injury with N’Golo Kante taking his place in midfield beside Jorginho. The third and final change came in attack as Mason Mount made way for Hakim Ziyech.
As for Newcastle, caretaker manager Graeme Jones named an unchanged starting eleven from their most recent fixture, a 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace. The Toon continued with the same back five as well as the midfield four which had Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser either side along with the lone striker Callum Wilson up front.
First Half
The match got off to a quiet start as neither side provided much threaten in front of goal. In the opening ten minutes, the best chance came from the away side as Reece James pulled the ball across goal to Hakim Ziyech but the shot from the Moroccan was blocked.
As the first half progressed, both Newcastle and Chelsea had lacked the attacking threat and were yet to test either goalkeeper. Though, with 29 minutes gone, the away side thought they had taken the lead after Ziyech’s curling effort found the top left corner but the midfielder was in an offside position.
In the 33rd minute, Chelsea had arguably the biggest opportunity of the match as James’ cross fell to Ziyech at the backpost, who struck his shot over the bar from close range. Yet another chance for the Moroccan and another one that was wasted.
On the stroke of half-time, Ziyech was at the forefront of every opportunity from the Blues but his free-kick was well off-target. Chelsea were unable to make the breakthrough in the first half as the match was goalless going in at half-time.
HT: Newcastle 0-0 Chelsea
Second Half
Not long after the restart, Chelsea started the second half how they ended the first as N’Golo Kante set up Ziyech but his effort was comfortable for Karl Darlow. Shortly after, Ziyech came close to scoring once again after the Moroccan’s deflected shot came back of the post.
Tuchel’s men were growing increasingly frustrated in the second half as the Blues struggled to break down a stubborn Newcastle defence. However, in the 65th minute, Chelsea at long last made the all-important breakthrough. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross fell to James at the backpost, who found the back of the net with a powerful drive. A huge goal to put the Blues 1-0 in front.
The goal from James was nothing short of what Chelsea deserved as the wing-back continued his excellent run of form since his return from injury. With 13 minutes to go, the Blues made sure of the three points and it was that man again Reece James. The shot from substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s deflected into the path of James, who netted his second of the afternoon.
Shortly after, the away side were awarded a penalty as Newcastle ‘keeper Darlow brought down Kai Havertz. The usual penalty taker in Jorginho stepped up from 12 yards and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea. It was turning into a comprehensive afternoon on Tyneside for the Blues.
In the end, Chelsea held out for the win over Newcastle as it ended 3-0 at St James’ Park. The result keeps the Blues at the top of the Premier League and three points ahead of Liverpool, who dropped points at home to Brighton.
FT: Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea
Team Line-Ups
Newcastle (5-4-1): Darlow (GK); Manquillo, Krafth, Lascelles (capt), Clark, Ritchie; Saint-Maximin, Hayden, Longstaff, Fraser; Wilson
Subbed on: Willock (for Fraser, 66 mins), Almiron (for Hayden, 67 mins), Shelvey (for Longstaff, 81 mins)
Chelsea (3-4-3): Mendy (GK); Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kante, Jorginho (capt), Chilwell; Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz
Subbed on: Loftus-Cheek (for Kante, 64 mins), Barkley (for Ziyech, 64 mins), Saul (for Hudson-Odoi, 88 mins)
Goals: James (65 mins, 77 mins), Jorginho, 81 mins, pen)
Written and Edited by Matt North (@MattNorth_)