Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea: Blues go top of the Premier League
Chelsea moved top of the Premier League for the first time under Frank Lampard – for a few hours at least – with a routine 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Federico Fernandez’s early own goal gave Chelsea the lead at St. James’ Park before Timo Werner’s stunning assist set up Tammy Abraham to seal the points midway through the second half.
Newcastle hit the bar through Sean Longstaff after Abraham’s strike but the hosts were well off the pace throughout as they slipped to back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
Chelsea’s fifth consecutive victory extends their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games and lifts them above Leicester into top spot on goal difference ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures. Newcastle remain 13th.
How Chelsea cruised on Tyneside
Chelsea’s international players showed little sign of fatigue as they raced into an early lead at St. James’ Park.
Karl Darlow prevented Werner and Abraham from breaking the deadlock with two fine saves inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was helpless when Fernandez bundled Mason Mount’s cross into his own net while under pressure from Ben Chilwell.
Fernandez and Newcastle appealed for a push in the build-up, but a VAR check found no infringement from Chilwell, and the goal was allowed to stand as the centre-back registered his fifth Premier League own goal since making his debut in the competition in 2014.
Newcastle’s reluctance to engage Chelsea saw the visitors assume complete control of the contest, and they should have doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Werner dragged a gilt-edge opportunity wide after Abraham had released him through on goal.
N’Golo Kante’s brilliant block prevented Allan Saint-Maximin from restoring parity as Newcastle grew as the interval approached, but Chelsea kept the hosts at arm’s length.
Fabian Schar replaced the injured Jamaal Lascelles at half-time and endured a torrid time as Werner tormented the Newcastle defence.
The Switzerland international was let off the hook after having his pocket picked by Werner, who opted to square for Hakim Ziyech instead of shooting and allowed the covering Newcastle defence to break up the move.
Kurt Zouma nodded a header wide as Chelsea pushed for a game-clinching second, and it came in stunning fashion on 65 minutes.
Werner burst through the Newcastle midfield with a stunning 75-yard break that left Schar trailing in his wake before slotting Abraham in behind for him to score for the third game running.
Longstaff’s stunning 30-yard drive which rattled the woodwork failed to inspire a late Newcastle comeback on an afternoon which belonged to Chelsea from the first whistle.
What the managers said…
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce: „We had one or two opportunities but didn’t take them. Maybe in the first half we were a little too deep at times. They’re a very, very good side and like I said, when you go high up the pitch, they can really hurt you. There will always be grumbles. We had some important players missing. But Chelsea are a very good team. We had three good opportunities, and against the big teams, you’ve got to take them.“
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard: „It’s not an easy game. We played well in patches and the result is key in these games. The Premier League is tough, relentless, and we dealt with the challenge of the game very well. I won’t get excited about being top of the table for five minutes. It’s important to be humble and know it’s a long race.“
Man of the Match – Tammy Abraham
Timo Werner would have landed this award had he converted any of the chances that came his way, but Tammy Abraham’s increasingly clinical streak in front of goal deserves merit.
Since the start of last season, Tammy Abraham has scored 23 goals in all competitions, 11 more than any other Chelsea player.
What’s next?
Newcastle travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Friday at 8pm. Chelsea head to Rennes in the group stages of the Champions League on Tuesday at 5.55pm, before hosting Tottenham on Super Sunday at 4.30pm – live on Sky Sports Premier League.
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