Chelsea edged out Newcastle with a 3-2 victory, narrowing the gap to just one point with the top half of the table.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring, followed by an equalizer from Alexander Isak for Newcastle. In the second half, Chelsea took control and secured the win with goals from Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk.
The victory was crucial for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, despite Newcastle’s attempt at a different tactic than their successful strategy against Wolves.
The high press from Newcastle caused discomfort, but long balls from Chelsea were met with cheers from their supporters, despite the conceded goals.
Player Ratings:
Malo Gusto – 7: A constant presence on the right flank, though a moment of carelessness led to Newcastle’s equalizer. Aside from that, he had an impressive night.
Axel Disasi – 6: Disasi’s performance was unpredictable. A more aggressive approach might have prevented Isak’s goal. Nevertheless, he can celebrate the win on his birthday.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6: Had an opportunity to clear the ball before Newcastle’s equalizing goal. The defenders sometimes complicate things for Chelsea, but they managed to secure the win.
Marc Cucurella – 6: Returning to the starting lineup, he made some crucial blocks. However, he was outplayed by Jacob Murphy, leading to a tense finish.
Enzo Fernandez – 7: Always ready to receive the ball and facilitate play from the back. His quick pass initiated the play that led to Palmer’s goal, contributing to the win.
Moises Caicedo – 6.5: Delivered a subtly effective midfield performance, disrupting Newcastle’s plays and forming a promising partnership with Fernandez.
Cole Palmer – 8: His agility left Newcastle’s defense in knots, contributing an assist and a goal. He proved to be an excellent acquisition.
Conor Gallagher – 7: Despite missing training due to illness, his tireless effort didn’t go unnoticed. He secured an easy assist thanks to Mudryk.
Raheem Sterling – 5: Faced criticism from Newcastle’s fans. His performance occasionally exasperated the supporters, notably during a one-on-one with Martin Dubravka.
Nicolas Jackson – 7.5: His clever play gave Chelsea an early advantage, marking his ninth goal of the season. Nearly scored a second, but it was disallowed.
Substitute:
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7: Entered the game with flair, slicing through Newcastle’s defense to score Chelsea’s third goal, showcasing his frightening pace.
Manager:
Mauricio Pochettino – 7: Secured a vital win, bouncing back from the disappointment at Brentford. The upcoming FA Cup match against Leicester could be pivotal for Chelsea’s season.