Chelsea made it three wins from three games under Maurizio Sarri but needed an own goal from DeAndre Yedlin to see off Newcastle United.
Eden Hazard opened the scoring from the penalty spot with his first goal of the season. However, the lead did not last long as Joselu headed in a cross from Yedlin in the 83rd minute.
The Newcastle defender would still have a role to play in our winner as Marcos Alonso’s cross-shot was deflected into the net by Yedlin in the 87th minute.
The win ensured we kept the pace with Liverpool and the Blues dominated possession against the Magpies.
There were a few players that certainly had a great game and here are the player ratings from a tough evening at St. James’ Park.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6/10
The young keeper didn’t have many saves to make but question marks still remain about his ability. Arrizabalaga should have done better with the Joselu header that beat him at the near post.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
The Spaniard had another regular game for the Blues as he got up in support of the attack. He also did his bit by blocking crosses from his end of the pitch.
Antonio Rudiger – 7.5/10
Rudiger did pretty well against the physical Salomon Rondon in the first half. The German also had a great shot on goal but saw it cannon off the crossbar.
David Luiz – 6/10
Luiz passed the ball out from the back really well. However, the Brazilian was static as he allowed Joselu to ghost in and score the equaliser.
Marcos Alonso – 8/10
Alonso’s best work comes in the final third. The Spaniard assisted the winner and even won the penalty which Hazard converted.
N’Golo Kante – 7/10
Kante is still learning the tricks of playing further up the field. The Frenchman was not influential in the game, though he did produce a few quality passes.
Jorginho – 7/10
The former Napoli man had more passes than the entire Newcastle team in the game. His passing was quality but a little slow at times.
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5/10
The midfielder couldn’t do much to break down the Newcastle defence and was substituted later on in the game.
Pedro – 7/10
The former Barcelona man had some of the best chances to score in the game but wasted them.
Alvaro Morata – 6/10
Morata did alright as the target man by holding onto the ball and bringing others into play. The Spaniard didn’t have too many chances to score but spurned a glorious one in the second half.
Eden Hazard – 8.5/10
Hazard might have had just one goal to his name but he was excellent against the Magpies. The Belgian ran circles around the Newcastle defence.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud – 6.5/10
The Frenchman was in the wars as he should have had a free-kick in the build-up to the goal we conceded. Giroud then played a crucial role in our winner as he headed the ball for Alonso to have a pop at goal.
Willian – 6/10
The Brazilian didn’t start but he had a role in our winner as he delivered a lofted free-kick that Giroud kept alive.
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Ross Barkley – N/A
Barkley came on late in the game but couldn’t do much for the Blues.