Chelsea ran its Premier League unbeaten streak to four with a 3-2 win over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Cole Palmer had a goal and an assist, while Myhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson also scored pretty goals for the Blues in a win that moves them within a point of their 10th-place visitors.
[ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino post-match reaction ]
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will not complain, as he’d been feeling the heat following a tepid performance in the League Cup Final versus Liverpool that led into a draw with Brentford.
While not a statement win for Chelsea, it counts as significant given their previous matches with top-half teams this season. Through 26 games this season, Chelsea had two wins against sides currently in the top half of the table, one of which came against nine-man Tottenham in November. Now it’s three.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
Eddie Howe’s Magpies were just a bit off early but had the game at 1-1 following Alexander Isak’s 12th goal of the Premier League season. Jacob Murphy’s venomous rip on the edge of stoppage time brought the Magpies within one late. An okay run of 3W-2D-1L ends with this loss, and Newcastle can suddenly see a bottom-half finish as realistic.
Chelsea keep European hopes alive as tepid Newcastle falter
It’s difficult to bet on Chelsea making a red-hot run given their season so far, but individual talent, a forgiving fixture list, and the state of the table continue to give Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues a chance to qualify for Europe. Chelsea sit 11th and have a match-in-hand on the teams between them and fifth-place Spurs. An eight-point gap to Man United in sixth might be a bridge too far but it’s only four points to seventh-place West Ham and the Blues still face five fellow bottom-half teams. They can also directly affect top-half rivals West Ham, Brighton, and Man United in head-to-head affairs. The way Cole Palmer is seeing the pitch, the unlikely is possible.
WATCH CHELSEA vs NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY
As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe’s stubborn streak is conspiring with the Magpies’ remaining injuries to make a bottom-half finish a shocking possibility. Dan Burn had a terrific goal line clearance but continues to struggle with pacey right-sided attackers as Chelsea found joy and then the gigantic left back was injured and replaced by Emil Krafth. Jacob Murphy brought electricity when he came in for injured Anthony Gordon — another big concern — while both Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes were very much up for the game. But Sean Longstaff was clumsy and the normally-reliable center back duo of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman were off their games. Newcastle could face big spending concerns this summer if Howe can’t get the Magpies into Europe. Sandro Tonali’s suspension and injuries to Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, and Nick Pope haven’t helped, but ownership likely expects much better than flirting with the top half.
What’s next?
Newcastle go to Man City for an FA Cup quarterfinal match at 1:30pm ET Saturday, then host West Ham in a Premier League match on March 30.
Chelsea are also in the FA Cup quarters and host Leicester City at 8:45am ET Sunday. The Blues’ next PL match is March 30 versus Burnley.
How to watch Chelsea vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 4pm ET, Monday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Online via NBC.com
Chelsea vs Newcastle live updates — By Nick Mendola
Chelsea vs Newcastle final score: 3-2
Goals: Jackson (6'), Isak (43'), Palmer (57'), Mudryk (76'), Murphy (90')
Mauricio Pochettino reaction — ‘This is a new team that deserves to be backed’
Watch the Chelsea’s boss’ post-match interview below, or read more here.
Marc Cucurella reaction — ‘We can finish in the best way’
“We controlled the game good,” Cucurella said on the USA Network after the game. “We conceded two easy goals in the game but that’s part of the game. These are an important three points for us.
“We have always clear objectives and a style we want to play. It’s difficult because we have a lot of new players in one of the most difficult leagues. It’s a process but we have another 10, 15 games to finish the season. We can finish in the best way.”
Eddie Howe reaction — ‘Disappointing one to give away’
“We started really well but conceded with their first attempt,” Eddie Howe said. “There weren’t a lot of chances for a high-scoring game.”
“The control was there. I don’t think we had an issue with the overall flow of the game. We were competitive and creative. The final ball wasn’t there. From our perspective it was a disappointing one to give away.”
“It’s a familiar feeling for sort of the last few months for us on the road for us. It’s been a tough period for us. Tonight epitomized really because there was a lot of good that but overall you’re left feeling deflated because with the quality of our players we have to defend better than that.”
Chelsea vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Jacob Murphy screamer goal video — Chelsea 3-2 Newcastle (90th minute)
It isn’t quite over thanks to a pile driver from Jacob Murphy.
He’s been very good since coming on for the injured Gordon, and this near-post, upper-90 rip after Lewis Miley’s pass helped Murphy turn Marc Cucurella is simply vicious.
Mykhailo Mudryk goal — Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle (76th minute)
Newcastle looked more likely to strike next, but Nicolas Jackson drives a counter attack down the left that leads to a third goal for the Blues.
Jackson played Conor Gallagher square, and the latter took a touch before a racing Mykhailo Mudryk took the ball off this foot.
Mudryk rounds the keeper and gets the ball over the line.
Dan Burn injury
Isak wins a free kick and it’s too far out for a try at goal.
The ball is swept toward the back post and big Dan Burn leaps to head it wide of goal.
His leap lands on Disasi, and Burn hits the turf hard and needs to come off.
Emil Krafth replaces Burn, and Miguel Almiron is also leaving the match. Elliot Anderson takes his place.
Cole Palmer goal! Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle (57th minute)
No stopping that. Chelsea’s Palmer swirls a marvelous left-footed shot from 20 yards inside Dubravka’s post.
And Chelsea could have it 3-1 but Raheem Sterling’s long dribble and work around Dubravka is blocked on the line by Dan Burn.
Halftime — Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle
Raheem Sterling ripped a late shot on target that was well-saved by Dubravka. There are more goals in this, which is deservedly even after 45 minutes.
The center forwards have traded goals in a half where the Magpies have kept almost 60% possession away to Chelsea.
Shots are 7-5 to the Blues, who are edging xG by 0.63-0.44.
Chelsea’s right side of Malo Gusto, Cole Palmer, and right center mid Moises Caicedo has been their best attribute, while it’s the Bruno and Isak show for Newcastle.
Isak springs Almiron chance that wins corner
Isak has the ball 45 yards out from goal and bodies Moises Caicedo, turning his body to send Miguel Almiron on goal.
Almiron takes two touches away from goal to help Petrovic keep his angle, but his vicious shot requires a parry.
The corner kick is played short and swept to the back post, absent receiver.
Alexander Isak goal — Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (43rd minute)
Bruno Guimaraes wins and keeps hold of the ball for a moment, finding Alexander Isak on the left with a cute pass.
Isak dribbles forward, takes a touch after getting some room for Disasi, and snaps a top-spin shot past the diving Djordje Petrovic.
Chelsea almost retake the lead right away through a good run and finish from Nicolas Jackson, but he’s offside.
Anthony Gordon limps off
The former Everton man has been bright but he’s injured by a foul and cannot continue after a conversation with trainers.
Jacob Murphy will take his place on the right wing for a free kick. His ball is good but Disasi holds off his man and it spins out for a Chelsea goal kick.
Magpies plan not coming off
Too many mistakes from Newcastle, as Eddie Howe clearly had a decent plan but has seen his men make too many mistakes in executing it.
The press has been aligned but poor passes — more than one from Sean Longstaff — have sprung Chelsea counter attacks.
The Blues have six shot attempts to Newcastle’s two, the latest an Anthony Gordon shot blocked out for a corner just after the half-hour mark.
Chelsea closing down passing lanes
In theory, the Chelsea back line will open up some chances for Newcastle.
In practice, the crosses and passes are not getting to their targets thanks to Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah.
It had been all Newcastle... — Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle (6th minute)
The Magpies had started masterfully, pressing Chelsea deep in the final third and winning several good opportunities.
Then Cole Palmer led a rush to flip the field, and took a half-speed low shot that was cleverly redirected by Nicolas Jackson to make its way past a diving Martin Dubravka.
Chelsea lineup
Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
Newcastle lineup
Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock, Almiron, Gordon, Isak.
Chelsea focus, team news
OUT: Christopher Nkunku (thigh), Reece James (thigh), Ben Chilwell (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL - out for season), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Levi Colwill (foot), Conor Gallagher (illness), Benoit Badiashile (groin), Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle)
Newcastle focus, team news
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Kieran Trippier (calf), Callum Wilson (shoulder), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Lewis Hall (loan - parent club) | QUESTIONABLE: Matt Targett (hamstring)