by Up in the posh seats, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali could be forgiven for thinking that everything is going to go well. Chelsea’s all-action forward Nicolas Jackson scored one and gave Newcastle defenders a nightmare. Cole Palmer, a sure contender for the signing of the season, went all blind and made another crucial contribution.
But Mykhailo Mudryk would take the crown. Under-pressure Mauricio Pochettino was delighted when the £89m winger came off the bench to seal a stunning 3-2 win for Chelsea. It was a glorious sight, a stunning display of Mudryk’s explosive talent, and Newcastle’s hopes of seventh place were done. They remain in 10th place after a careless display, just a point above resurgent Chelsea.
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Both sides can point to injuries as the reason for their inconsistent form. The bulletins of the medical team rarely gave good news to Pochettino, who forced Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell to their latest tweaks that join the rest of the absent before this game, although sympathy is scarce. Chelsea fans didn’t react well, not used to seeing their side in mid-table, exactly. Patience with Pochettino and the hierarchy were in danger of running out before Chelsea picked up a point against Brentford last week.
But Boehly and Eghbali had to be impressed with how their team faced the challenge of Newcastle. Marc Cucurella, starting at left back for the first time since December, was a display of fight. The Spaniard attacked every loose ball with joy, smothering Miguel Almirón, although there were times when he exceeded the mark. He should have been booked for bellowing at the linesman after being penalized for a clear trip on former Chelsea right-back Tino Livramento.
However, Pochettino must have loved the desire. Chelsea made an urgent start, Malo Gusto quick to tackle Anthony Gordon, and soon found holes in Newcastle’s defence. The opening goal, scored by Jackson after six minutes, left Eddie Howe in awe. A fine pass from Palmer to start the move, but Newcastle’s defense was poor. Sven Botman should have done more than Gusto’s cross straight to Palmer and, although the winger’s shot went wide, Jackson directed the ball past Martin Dubravka with a superb flick.
Jackson scored his 12th goal at Chelsea since joining from Villarreal. Palmer, keen to lie in front of Gareth Southgate, cut inside and tested Dubravka. Enzo Fernández dived into his tackle in midfield. Raheem Sterling drove down the left and created an opening for Jackson, who drew another save from Dubravka.
During the opening 30 minutes, Newcastle’s worries grew when Gordon resigned three days before Southgate named his England squad for friendlies of the month. But Chelsea keep making the same mistake. They are not able to stay focused and intense for 90 minutes.
Newcastle got a goal after Jacob Murphy came on, Joe Willock almost equalised. Chelsea, increasingly sloppy, failed to respond. Instead they were pegged back when Fernández played an ambitious pass, Gusto misjudged and Trevoh Chalobah got out of defense before losing to Bruno Guimarães, who sent Isak out to swerve inside and shoot beautifully bend over Djordje Petrovic.
The equalizer resulted in a frantic spell that saw Jackson’s goal disallowed, Dubravka denying Sterling and Willock almost putting Newcastle ahead. The game was open, both sides flawed, and Newcastle threatened after half time. Almiron, moved to the left after Gordon’s departure, palmed Petrovic.
Chelsea responded, Palmer teasing Dan Burn on the right, only for his cross to elude everyone in the middle. They counter-attacked again, Palmer feeding Sterling, the winger shooting wide. Newcastle had to be more careful. Chelsea were finding a lot of space on the break.
The pressure grew, Guimarães hit three blue shirts when he tried to dribble out of trouble. Newcastle were pinned back and were behind when Palmer got into space, took a pass from Fernández and sent a venomous drive past Dubravka from 20 yards.
Moisés Caicedo, who had tightened his hold in midfield, started the transition by linking up with Fernández. Chelsea were rampant and it should have been clear when Sterling ran onto Jackson’s flick, ignoring a pass to Palmer. Pochettino cried when Sterling’s shot was cleared off the line.
Chelsea could not relax. Newcastle stirred, Burn heading wide. Chelsea’s game management was under the microscope. Axel Disasi made an important challenge on Willock. Livramento’s shot was blocked.
But Newcastle’s momentum ended when Jackson broke. He looked in, Conor Gallagher took a touch and fed Mudryk. Sensing that something special was brewing, Gallagher stood back. He had a good look at Mudryk’s quick feet, balance and grace taking him past Fabian Schär and beyond the home side of Dubravka, who was powerless to stop the Ukrainian scoring.
Chelsea’s only negative was that Murphy set up a nervy finish with a superb own goal.
