Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United: Willian peach helps Blues fight off spirited Magpies and extend lead over Arsenal

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United: Willian peach helps Blues fight off spirited Magpies and extend lead over Arsenal
Chelsea tightened their grip on fourth place in the Premier League after claiming a hard-fought win 2-1 over a spirited Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge.Willian’s delightful curling effort in the second-half proved to be the winner after Ciaran Clark’s header cancelled out Pedro’s opener.5

Willian had a quiet game before unleashing this curling effort into the corner of the net

The win sees Maurizio Sarri’s men extend their lead over fifth-placed Arsenal to six points after the Gunners lost at West Ham earlier on Saturday.Goalscoring remains an issue for Chelsea, who faced the prospect of a third top-flight home game without scoring for the first time since November 1993, but finished the day with a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal.Newcastle appeared to be the ideal opponents to end the lean streak, having won one of their past eight league games.The Magpies, watched by owner Mike Ashley for the first time since mid-November, were in the relegation zone by the 5.30pm kick-off. The line-ups illustrated the disparity in resources, but Maurizio Sarri’s decision to stick with Hazard as his attacking focal point could have been interpreted as a message in his search for a new striker.Alvaro Morata was absent for a second successive game amid suggestions of a departure before the end of the January transfer window, while Olivier Giroud was on the bench alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 18-year-old winger has been linked with a big money move to Bayern Munich.The strikerless Blues led when David Luiz’s 50-yard pass found Pedro, whose run eluded Clark. The Spaniard lifted the ball over Martin Dubravka, with the goalkeeper in no man’s land.5

Pedro’s early goal seemingly put Chelsea on course for an easy victory

The visitors went close with the direct route. Salomon Rondon flicked on Dubravka’s long kick for Ayoze Perez, who drilled a low shot just wide.Newcastle levelled after 40 minutes. Matt Ritchie’s corner was met by Clark, who leaped above Luiz to direct a powerful header into the bottom corner.5

Clark levelled the game as Newcastle finished the second-half strongly

Chelsea came close to restoring their advantage from the restart, but Willian passed wide following Jorginho’s lofted through ball. He should have scored.Pedro spurned two straightforward chances early in the second half, before Hazard, who had been a peripheral figure, created Chelsea’s second.The Belgian sucked in four defenders before feeding Willian, who checked inside from the left side of the area and curled the ball inside the far post.It was Willian’s first Premier League goal since October and his third of the season, equalling defender Clark’s tally.5

Willian produced a piece of magic on a day where he and his team-mates were sluggish

Only two players have scored 10 or more goals and provided 10 or more assists in Europe’s top five leagues: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Hazard.Hazard was crunched by challenges from Christian Atsu and Isaac Hayden before Chelsea went close again.Willian chased another long Luiz pass and lifted the ball over Dubravka. Jamaal Lascelles needlessly conceded a corner.Hudson-Odoi was introduced for Pedro with 10 minutes remaining and soon after a chorus of “we want you to stay” was heard.5

Sarri’s men are six points clear of Arsenal and one point behind third-placed Spurs

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