Chelsea stroll past Newcastle to take a firm grip at the top of the league table
The Blues showed a range of class even without five of their first eleven including core striker Romelu Lukaku as they demolished Newcastle by 3 goals to nil.
Thomas Tuchel’s side huffed and puffed in the first half but held their nerve before eventually scoring three times after the break to move three points clear at the summit.
A powerful double from Reece James and a Jorginho penalty helped Chelsea strengthen their grip on the top spot in the Premier League with a 3-0 win away to a Newcastle side who will now be dreading a relegation battle.
England international Reece James sent his side on their way with a left-footed thunderbolt that gave Karl Darlow no chance, in what must surely be one of the goals of the weekend.
Chelsea had dominated the first half at St James’ Park, with Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech failing to convert the few good chances, and hit the post at the start of the second when a deflection on Ziyech’s shot left Karl Darlow stranded.
The opportunity came for where James would have had the chance to complete his hat-trick had Jorginho handed him the ball to take Chelsea’s penalty after Kai Havertz was fouled by Darlow.
However, the Italian and his Chelsea side were unprepared to be complacent with a little under 10 minutes to play as he drove his penalty home from 12 yards out to complete the victory for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who were once again without the injured pair of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku, was also hit by an overnight illness which ruled out Mason Mount – and they were missing a cutting edge during a commanding first half as a result.
By: Elisha Aberiganya | Follow us on Twitter @activtvgh
