Palmer shines in Chelsea victory against Newcastle

Cole Palmer scored a goal and provided an assist as his brilliant debut campaign for the Blues continuedCole Palmer was hugely influential as Chelsea saw off Newcastle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer struck in the 57th minute, taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet before drilling hard and low past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The Blues had gone ahead early after Sven Botman’s poor clearance was pounced on by Palmer, his shot being cleverly steered into the bottom corner by Nicolas Jackson for his second goal in as many league games.

Aleksander Isak’s powerful effort from the edge of the area just before the break gave Newcastle hope before Palmer restored Chelsea’s lead.

Substitute Mykhailo Mudryk took the ball off team-mate Conor Gallagher and ran through the Newcastle defence before rounding Dubravka to finish from a tight angle.

Jacob Murphy produced a thumping finish into the top corner on the 90-minute mark but Mauricio Pochettino’s side hung on for their 11th win of the campaign.

Chelsea remain 11th in the table, with a game in hand on Newcastle who are a point and a place above them.

Will ‘class’ Palmer force way into England Euros squad?Reaction from Chelsea v Newcastle in the Premier LeagueHow did you rate Chelsea’s performance? Have your say hereWhat did you make of Newcastle’s display? Send us your views hereNewcastle started slowly and Fabian Schar sent a shot off target as home goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was relatively untroubled for most of the match.

The visitors struggled to create many opportunities in the first half with Isak’s goal their first shot on target after 43 minutes.

By this stage, Eddie Howe had lost another player to injury as Anthony Gordon came off following a challenge by Marc Cucurella.

Murphy replaced Gordon and his sublime finish late on made the scoreline closer than it seemed in reality.

Palmer impresses in front of watching SouthgateThere is no doubt that Palmer has been Chelsea’s most impactful signing since joining the club from Manchester City on the final day of last summer’s transfer window.

Once again, Palmer was influential for the Blues when they needed him most. He provided the assist for Jackson’s goal before producing a superb finish himself, meaning he now has 19 Premier League goal involvements this season – 11 goals and eight assists.

Palmer has both scored and assisted in five different league games this season, more than any other player, as his debut Premier League campaign for the Blues continues to go from strength to strength.

He was withdrawn after 87 minutes to rapturous applause from the home fans after yet another man-of-the-match performance where he played a pivotal role in his side’s victory.

Palmer has been a rare light of consistency and brought much-needed calm to an often chaotic Chelsea side. His latest impressive performance was watched by England manager Gareth Southgate who names his squad this Thursday for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

The former Manchester City midfielder made his senior England debut in November, and after more brilliant performances since then he will hope to add to his two caps this month.

More injures on disappointing night for NewcastleNewcastle were looking to complete a league double over the Blues for the first time since 1986-87 but failed to in a below-par performance.

Eddie Howe’s side took a while to grow into the game after going behind early on.

Gordon, who would have hoped to impress Southgate, came off after 34 minutes in a huge blow for the injury-hit Magpies.

In the second half, Dan Burn landed awkwardly and was substituted. Newcastle are already without Kieran Trippier who has a calf problem, while Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Nick Pope remain long-term absentees.

Murphy’s goal was a moment of superb quality as he unleashed a sensational strike from just inside the penalty area, rolling Cucurella and leaving Petrovic no chance of saving it.

Newcastle will have to dust themselves down quickly before a huge FA Cup quarter-final against holders Manchester City on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

Player of the match

Bruno GuimarãesBruno Guimarães

with an average of 8.05

Squad number20Player namePalmer

Squad number10Player nameMudryk

Squad number27Player nameGusto

Squad number23Player nameGallagher

Squad number15Player nameJackson

Squad number28Player namePetrovic

Squad number2Player nameDisasi

Squad number14Player nameChalobah

Squad number8Player nameFernández

Squad number31Player nameCasadei

Squad number25Player nameCaicedo

Squad number17Player nameChukwuemeka

Squad number3Player nameCucurella

Squad number7Player nameSterling

Newcastle UnitedSquad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães

Squad number14Player nameIsak

Squad number21Player nameLivramento

Squad number23Player nameMurphy

Squad number28Player nameWillock

Squad number33Player nameBurn

Squad number5Player nameSchär

Squad number4Player nameBotman

Squad number24Player nameAlmirón

Squad number10Player nameGordon

Squad number67Player nameMiley

Squad number1Player nameDúbravka

Squad number40Player nameWhite

Squad number17Player nameKrafth

Squad number32Player nameAnderson

Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff

Line-upsChelseaFormation 4-2-3-1

28PetrovicBooked at 71mins27Gusto2Disasi14Chalobah3Cucurella8Fernández25CaicedoBooked at 72mins20PalmerSubstituted forCasadeiat 86’minutes23Gallagher7SterlingBooked at 39minsSubstituted forMudrykat 71’minutes15JacksonSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 90+1’minutesSubstitutes1Sánchez6Thiago Silva10Mudryk11Madueke17Chukwuemeka31Casadei36de Souza Eugênio42Gilchrist63AcheampongNewcastleFormation 4-3-3

1Dúbravka21Livramento5Schär4Botman33BurnSubstituted forKrafthat 69’minutes36S Longstaff39Bruno GuimarãesSubstituted forWhiteat 81’minutesBooked at 90mins28WillockSubstituted forMileyat 80’minutes24AlmirónSubstituted forAndersonat 69’minutes14Isak10GordonSubstituted forMurphyat 36’minutesSubstitutes6Lascelles11Ritchie13Targett17Krafth18Karius23Murphy32Anderson40White67MileyMatch StatsLive TextMatch ends, Chelsea 3, Newcastle United 2.

Second Half ends, Chelsea 3, Newcastle United 2.

Joe White (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Foul by Joe White (Newcastle United).

Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Tino Livramento (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Cesare Casadei (Chelsea).

Attempt saved. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Carney Chukwuemeka.

Substitution, Chelsea. Carney Chukwuemeka replaces Nicolas Jackson.

Goal! Chelsea 3, Newcastle United 2. Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Lewis Miley.

Foul by Elliot Anderson (Newcastle United).

Malo Gusto (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. Sven Botman (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacob Murphy with a cross.

Substitution, Chelsea. Cesare Casadei replaces Cole Palmer.

Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Marc Cucurella.

Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).

Substitution, Newcastle United. Joe White replaces Bruno Guimarães.

Substitution, Newcastle United. Lewis Miley replaces Joe Willock.

Foul by Elliot Anderson (Newcastle United).