Chelsea defeated Newcastle 3-2 to close the gap to Newcastle, and the top half of the table, down to just one point.
Nicolas Jackson scored the opening goal before Alexander Isak netted an equaliser for the Magpies.
But Chelsea looked much more the comfortable side in the second-half, sealing the win with goals through Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk.
It was a much needed win for Mauricio Pochettino, though Eddie Howe‘s side frustrated as they opted to go for a different approach to the one that worked so well against Wolves.
Mail Sport’s KIERAN GILL and CRAIG HOPE give their verdict on how the players performed at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino received a boost as Chelsea picked up a much-needed win over Newcastle
Djordje Petrovic 6
Did not look comfortable with Newcastle’s high press and when he elected to launch it long instead, Chelsea’s fans cheered. No stopping either of the strikes he conceded.
Malo Gusto 7
Such a nuisance when running up and down the right flank, though showed carelessness in juggling with the ball before Newcastle’s equaliser. That was his only error on an otherwise impressive evening.
Axel Disasi 6
You are never sure which Disasi will turn up on match day. Perhaps could have closed down Alexander Isak before his strike if we are being ultra critical. Still, he can savour this win on his birthday.
Trevoh Chalobah 6
Another who had the chance to clear before Newcastle’s leveller. Sometimes, Chelsea’s defenders do not help themselves. But a win is a win, even if they had to hold on at the very end.
First start since December and celebrated the odd block as he got back into the groove. Totally rinsed by Jacob Murphy before his sensational strike set up a nervy ending, mind.
Malo Gusto was a nuisance but was careless with the ball before Newcastle’s equaliser
Marc Cucurella is getting back into his groove but was rinsed by Jacob Murphy for Newcastle’s second
Forever made himself available to receive the ball when his goalkeeper and defenders were playing out from the back and his quick forward pass set up Palmer to score en route to this victory.
Moises Caicedo 6.5
A quietly effective performance in midfield as he nipped at the heels of Newcastle’s players, winning possession to kill the odd attack. His partnership with Fernandez is developing.
Twisted and turned Dan Burn so much that Newcastle’s left back resembled a pretzel at times, and finished this match with an assist and a goal. Clearly their best signing.
Cole Palmer continues to show why he is clearly Chelsea’s best signing of last summer
Conor Gallagher 7
Missed three days’ worth of training this week due to illness but you would never have known, judging by his relentless running. Easiest assist he will ever secure, thanks to Mykhailo Mudryk.
Raheem Sterling 5
‘Southgate’s right, you’re f***ing s****,’ sang Newcastle’s supporters towards him. Susceptible to frustrating fans, like when he cocked up being one on one with Martin Dubravka.
Nicolas Jackson 7.5
Clever flick to gift Chelsea their early lead, securing his ninth Premier League goal of his season. Hoped he had scored a second but the assistant’s flag denied him. Overall, a proper striker’s performance.
Raheem Sterling wasted a huge one-on-one opportunity against Martin Dubravka
Nicolas Jackson delivered a proper striker’s performance during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory
SUBSTITUTES
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sterling, 71) – 7
Beautiful trickery to burst through Newcastle’s back line and score Chelsea’s third goal – a glimpse of what he can do if given the chance. The speed he possesses really is petrifying for defenders.
Cesare Casadei (for Palmer, 86) – N/A
Carney Chukwuemeka (for Jackson 90) – N/A
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino – 7
This was a much-needed win after hearing the fans turn on him during that disappointing 2-2 draw at Brentford. Now for the visit of Leicester in the FA Cup – the competition which could salvage this season for Chelsea.
Newcastle
Martin Dubravka 5
Hard to know if he shouted to claim the ball before Chelsea’s opener – if not, he should have done. Didn’t get near any of Chelsea’s three goals but was also left exposed by those in front of him.
Tino Livramento 6.5
Did well enough on his return to Stamford Bridge – where he spent 12 years in the academy – and showed forward endeavour in both full-back positions. Was running on empty come the end and was repeatedly fouled, an indicator of the threat he posed at times.
Fabian Schar 5.5
Started well, in terms of composure and distribution. But it was not a great night defensively and he was nutmegged by Mudryk in the seconds before Chelsea’s third goal. The partnership with Botman did not look as dependable as it can be.
Sven Botman 4
He was culpable in conceding the first goal when his weak clearance went straight to Palmer, whose shot was turned in by Jackson. He was also too slow before Chelsea’s third goal and does not look like the player of last season after injury. A torrid evening.
Dan Burn 5.5
Targeted by Chelsea early on – the first goal coming after he failed to stop a Gusto cross – but was not helped by Gordon being injured in front of him. Fared better when Almiron was switched over for protection but, on the whole, a disappointing night for the skipper.
Defender Sven Botman has not looked like the player of last season after his injury
Dan Burn struggled to deal with Palmer and was targeted by Chelsea early on in the game
Sean Longstaff 5
Gave the ball away far too much and put team-mates under pressure with his passing at times. Looks like he needs a break from the team, for his form is way below the levels of last season.
Bruno Guimaraes 6
A brilliant assist for Isak when he won the ball and supplied a dinked pass for his team-mate, but he did not control the midfield as a player of his quality and repute should. His night was summed up when sleeping on the ball and being robbed by Palmer late on.
Joe Willock 6
Ran and ran but there was little impact in the final third. He has done well after return from injury but, as Howe predicted, there was always going to be a game when he “bounced”. Perhaps this was it.
Miguel Almiron 6
See Willock in terms of effort and perspiration but, again, there was little quality in the final third when it mattered.
Alexander Isak 6.5
Fantastic finish for his goal – dropping a shoulder and finding the bottom corner – but was starved of service for the majority of the game. Still one of his team’s better players.
Alexander Isak produced a fantastic finish but was starved of service during the game
Anthony Gordon 5
Injured inside the first five minutes and was clearly struggling as he soldiered on for another half hour. On the night of his England audition in front of Gareth Southgate, it could not have gone any worse, given his excellent season to date. He left holding his knee in the 36th minute and it did not look good.
Subs
Jacob Murphy (on 35mins for Gordon) 7
His crossing at least offered a direct threat and, whilst not always accurate, there was a better attacking purpose with him on the pitch. A superb strike to give hope of a draw and was probably his side’s best player.
Emil Krafth (on 69mins for Burn) 5.5
Elliot Anderson (on 69mins for Almiron) 6.5
Lewis Miley (on 80mins for Willock) 6
Joe White (on 80mins for Guimaraes) 6
Manager
Eddie Howe 5
Why didn’t Newcastle stick to the approach that worked so well against Wolves? They had more of the ball here but didn’t really know what to do with it. The Gordon injury was disruptive, but this wasn’t a great night for Howe and his side.
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