Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle: Blues' Player Ratings as Jackson and Palmer score to earn a crucial win for Maresca's men | Premier League 2024-25
Chelsea secured a 2-1 win against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday, October 27. The result sees the Blues move to 17 points, while the Magpies remain on 12 points from nine matches apiece.
Chelsea made a great start to the game and even got on the scoresheet in the sixth minute via Cole Palmer. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check. They did not need much time to repeat the trick as the Blues grabbed a legitimate lead just 12 minutes later. Pedro Neto assisted Nicolas Jackson as the striker netted to make it 1-0.
Newcastle were far from out of the game, though, as they kept the ball with confidence and looked to advance it at every opportunity. Former Chelsea left back Lewis Hall assisted Alexander Isak as the Swede drew the Magpies level on terms after 32 minutes. The hosts had nine shots with four on target, while the visitors had eight shots with two on target.
Chelsea and Newcastle were tied at 1-1 at the half-time interval after an exciting 45 minutes.
Much like the first period, Chelsea made a strong start to the second one as well. Palmer finally got his goal after an assist from Romeo Lavia to restore the hosts' advantage just two minutes after the restart. From that point onwards, Newcastle kept the ball for extended spells as they searched for a way back into the game.
However, with just three shots and one of those on target, the Magpies were far from threatening Chelsea. Both Enzo Maresca and Eddie Howe made several changes as they looked to refresh their set of players on the field, but those changes seemed to serve the Blues better than their rivals.
Players from both sides got in the referees book as the game threatened to boil over, but Chelsea kept their composure and preserved their lead. Christopher Nkunku was awarded a penalty late on which was cancelled upon VAR intervention, but the hosts secured a vital 2-1 win.
On that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Robert Sanchez - 6/10
Sanchez made just one save and was also booked in this match.
Malo Gusto - 7/10
Gusto won six duels, making one clearance and one interception. He also played one key pass.
Wesley Fofana - 7/10
Fofana won seven duels, making six clearances, two blocks and one interception in a composed defensive performance for Chelsea.
Levi Colwill - 7/10
Colwill had a decent game as he won three duels, making seven clearances and one interception.
Reece James - 7.5/10
James won five of six duels, making three interceptions, two clearances and two blocks. He also played one accurate cross.
Moises Caicedo - 8/10
Caicedo passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including two key passes. He also won five duels, making a game-high seven interceptions and one clearance.
Romeo Lavia - 7.5/10
Lavia provided an assist for Chelsea's second goal. He also won three duels, making two clearances and two interceptions. He was also booked for a foul.
Noni Madueke - 7/10
Madueke passed the ball with 87% accuracy, including two key passes and one accurate cross. He also won two duels.
Cole Palmer - 8/10
Palmer scored Chelsea's second goal of the game. He also played two key passes and one accurate cross. Palmer also won four duels.
Pedro Neto - 8/10
Neto passed the ball with 93% accuracy, including three key passes, of which one was an assist for the Blues' first goal. He completed three dribbles and also won four duels.
Nicolas Jackson - 7.5/10
Jackson scored in the first half, which turned out to be his only attempt of the game. However, he played three key passes and also won one duel.
Substitutes
Mykhaylo Mudryk - 6.5/10
Mudryk replaced Madueke but was unable to make an impact on the proceedings.
Enzo Fernandez - 6.5/10
Fernandez replaced Lavia and helped the Blues see out the remainder of the game and secure the important win.
Marc Cucurella - 6.5/10
Cucurella replaced Gusto for the closing stages of the contest and helped his side secure the result.
Christopher Nkunku - 7/10
Nkunku came on late in the game and won a last-gasp penalty, which was later disallowed. His cameo helped his team see off the latter stages of the game.