Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United, Premier League: Post-match reaction

A beautiful goal by Pedro from a pass just as marvellous from David Luiz 9 minutes into the game could have been the ideal setup for Chelsea to start tearing Newcastle apart in the first half. Instead, they opted to let the minutes run out by timid passing, while the opposition tried to change the match’s course with with individual moments from Salomon Rondón, Ayoze Pérez and former Chelsea player Christian Atsu.

The latter would be the one of the direct culprits in Newcastle’s tying goal. Via an Atsu-won corner taken by Matt Ritchie, Ciaran Clark levelled the match by being allowed to do so thanks to an error from David Luiz.

It looked as if the second half would be marred by wrong passes made by the hosts whenever they tried to move forward. But to break expectations, in came a moment of brilliance from Eden Hazard who drew several Newcastle defenders to give time and space for Willian to slot in a brilliant effort from the left wing. 2-1, Blues.

Carefree!

• Hazard stays as centre-forward from the Tottenham match. Olivier Giroud takes the spot in the bench as the no.2 CF, with Morata out of the squad once again.
• But a very centre-forward-esque goal from Pedro makes you think he is better suit for the role than Hazard himself. In the meantime, David Luiz flashes his credentials as one of the world’s best ball-playing defenders with his assist.
• Willian did exactly what we have been asking of him throughout the season in that goal.
• Barkley in for Kovacic, who has not really impressed today. Followed by Callum Hudson-Odoi for Pedro, and Giroud for Hazard.
• Next up: Arsenal at the Emirates in a Premier League clash.
• KTBFFH.

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