Chelsea stretched their lead on top of the Premier League table as wing-back, Reece James scored a second-half double as he fired the leaders to a 3-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
The Blues, still without the injured duo of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in the attack, initially lacked cutting edge in the final third as Kai Havertz took a central role up front, and Hakim Ziyech enduring a frustrating outing.
Their main threat against a Newcastle team content to sit back and play on the counter was Hakim Ziyech, who saw a stunning curling goal disallowed for offside and hit the post earlier in the second half.
The hosts started the same team which claimed a point at Crystal Palace and from the off they showed little attacking intention as they recorded just one shot on target all game.
Chelsea were frustrated in the opening 45 minutes, and none more so than Hakim Ziyech, who could and should have opened the scoring on more than one occasion.
Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech had a frustrating outing against Newcastle United and was unlucky not to find the net. | PHOTO: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages |
However, James eventually found a way through, lashing a superb left-footed drive into the top-left corner in the 65th minute before taking advantage of lackadaisical defending from Newcastle, who then conceded a late penalty to enable Jorginho to apply gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea moved three points clear at the helm after Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield while Manchester City lost 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
Ziyech bent beyond Karl Darlow in the 28th minute only to see the offside flag correctly raised against him and then blazed over from close range after Callum Wilson was dubiously ruled to have fouled Andreas Christensen.
The former Ajax man hit the post when a long-range strike deflected off Jamal Lascelles, but Newcastle’s resistance was broken in style by James.
His second goal was less aesthetically impressive, James slicing beyond a stricken Darlow after Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s effort was blocked with Newcastle’s defence all over the place.
Chelsea players celebrate after Reece James scored the opener against Newcastle United in a Premier League meeting at St James’ Park on Saturday, 30. | PHOTO: LINDSEY PARNABY/GettyImages |
Darlow’s stumping foul on Kai Havertz led to the referee Paul Tierney pointing to the spot which allowed Jorginho to coolly convert from 12 yards and help Chelsea solidify their position at the summit in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 victory at St James’ Park.
With the two matches Graeme Jones was handed to lead Newcastle as interim manager now over. it is a matter of wait and see on who the club will appoint as the new manager before next weekend when Newcastle will be on Premier League action again as they travel to Brighton and Holve Albion.
So far, there are no reports as to who is close to take over the reign at St James’ Park although former AS Roma head coach Paulo Fonsesca is reportedly the most possible option after impressing in his interview with the club.
Chelsea will be in action again on Tuesday, 2 November when they travel to Sweden to take on Swedish giants Malmo in the UEFA Champions League at Eleda Stadion before hosting Burnley on Saturday, 6 November ahead of the November international break.
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