Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle United, Premier League: Post-match reaction, ratings

Lampard was expecting a resilient, defensive, counter-attacking showing from the visitors, and that’s precisely what Newcastle delivered.

Chelsea struggled to break down their massed ranks for much of the game, especially in the first-half, with only a couple decent chances of note in the first-half, Willian missing a header at the far post and Mount hitting a shot straight at the goalkeeper after a good turn near the penalty spot.

The second half was more of the same, especially at the start, but Chelsea eventually began to combine better and move the ball more threateningly, with Hudson-Odoi and Willian both looking to create. Abraham hit the crossbar from a corner header, then Pulisic was unlucky as the ball spun behind his stride and Dúbravka was able to make a key save.

But eventually the pressure paid off, as Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi worked the ball right-to-left to a wide open Alonso, who kept his shot low and beat the goalkeeper!

Abraham then had a surefire goal blocked by a sliding Yedlin, but fortunately that did not come back to bite us, as Chelsea hold out for the 1-0 win.

Carefree.

• Just one change from our last game, Barkley replacing the injured Kanté next to Jorginho in the two-man midfield. Barkley himself then got injured in the first-half, with Mateo Kovačić replacing him.
• Pulisic for Mount, James for Hudson-Odoi completed the changes. (A brief) Premier League debut for Reece James!
• Chelsea dominate possession, but don’t threaten much until the final quarter of the game. Did eventually finish with 8 shots on target from 16.
• Three in a row in the league; five in a row in all competitions.
• Clean sheet! Second of the season.
• Chelsea into third, temporarily at least, as Leicester City win as well. Manchester City play next; Arsenal on Monday.
• Next up: Ajax away on Wednesday in what could be a crucial game in the Champions League group stage
• KTBFFH

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