- Cole Palmer scores winner as Chelsea beat Newcastle United
- Alexander Isak had equalised after Nicolas Jackson's opener
- Blues fourth ahead of Arsenal's clash with Liverpool
Cole Palmer's second-half strike helped Chelsea deservedly beat Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The England international struck the winner after goals from Nicolas Jackson and Alexander Isak had sent the two sides in level at half-time.
The three points mean Chelsea moved into the top four ahead of Arsenal's clash with Liverpool, while the Magpies have dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League table.
How the game unfolded
It was an entertaining start from both sides, with Noni Madueke looking to dribble out wide before a Palmer strike was disallowed for offside despite producing a tidy finish from Jackson's pass.
The Magpies struggled to make their hosts uncomfortable as the Blues zipped the ball around, though Bruno Guimaraes was unhappy to see a penalty appeal turned down after he went down.
After moments of promise at either end, Chelsea took the lead. A wonderful pass from Palmer took out the Newcastle backline and allowed Pedro Neto to square for Jackson, who tapped in his seventh league goal of the season.
It was Palmer who was impressing the Stamford Bridge crowd most often, skipping away from Newcastle challenges and causing constant problems for the visitors with his vision.
However, Eddie Howe's side didn't wilt despite being outclassed and managed to draw level just after the half-hour mark. A flowing move from right to left ended with Lewis Hall flashing a ball across the six-yard box where Isak was waiting to easily convert.
It was tough luck for Chelsea, who had been the more progressive side, but they were back in front at the start of the second half.
Levi Colwill nicked possession back and Romeo Lavia slid it to Palmer, who was allowed to run unchecked before fizzing a confident shot past Pope at the big goalie's near post.
The Blues had attacked with purpose all afternoon and were well worthy of their lead, though Newcastle did show teeth in search of another equaliser. Joe Willock's cross found Isak but his header was blocked, while the Swede then managed to go around Sanchez but couldn't get a shot off in time as Chelsea's defenders got back to recover.
There were late shouts for a home penalty as Christopher Nkunku went down, but no further goal-mouth action arrived as Chelsea continued their strong recent form and stretched Newcastle's winless run in the league to five games.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sanchez - 6/10 - Gave the ball away too often with some errant distribution. Made a couple of saves he would have expected to.
RB: Malo Gusto - 7/10 - Offered plenty of running down the right, constantly looking to get forward.
CB: Wesley Fofana - 7/10 - Solid at the back, though did pick up a booking for a late challenge.
CB: Levi Colwill - 7/10 - Sniffed danger well, winning the ball back before Palmer's winner.
LB: Reece James - 7/10 - Made one vital block near his own line when Isak looked destined to score.
CM: Moises Caicedo - 7/10 - Was constantly on the heels of the Newcastle midfielders, never giving them a moment's race.
CM: Romeo Lavia - 7/10 - Poked the ball to Palmer for an assist and made life similarly difficult for Newcastle alongside Caicedo.
RW: Noni Madueke - 6/10 - Was full of attacking intent and gave Hall so many problems out wide, though his end product was just lacking.
AM: Cole Palmer - 9/10 - Oozed confidence on the ball, always picking it up in space and using it effectively. Was a threat throughout a deservedly got on the scoresheet after an earlier effort was ruled out for offside.
LW: Pedro Neto - 8/10 - Pressed really effectively and used his pace to get on to Palmer's pass and cross for Jackson's opener. Nearly got a goal of his own but was denied by the woodwork.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - 8/10 - Was on hand to put Chelsea into the lead and showed more evidence of his burgeoning link-up play with Palmer.
Substitutes
Mykhailo Mudryk (67' for Madueke) - 6/10
Enzo Fernandez (72' for Lavia) - 5/10
Marc Cucurella (78' for Gusto) - 5/10
Christopher Nkunku (78' for Jackson) - 5/10
Subs not used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Viega, Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix.
Manager
Enzo Maresca - 8/10 - His side played with clear attacking intent and were better in all areas. The scoreline definitely could have been bigger, mind.
Newcastle player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Nick Pope - 5/10 - Stood up tall and made some crucial interventions, but probably should have saved Palmer's strike at the near post.
RB: Tino Livramento - 4/10 - Couldn't show too much verve in attack and was given nightmares by Neto.
CB: Fabian Schar - 4/10 - Picked up a booking for a professional foul and was chasing shadows at points.
CB: Dan Burn - 4/10 - Was given the runaround in defence, losing out regularly in one-v-one duels.
LB: Lewis Hall - 6/10 - Showed some heart on his return to Stamford Bridge with an assist and a vital clearance.
CM: Sandro Tonali - 5/10 - Made some darting runs into the box but was played around by Chelsea in midfield.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes - 5/10 - Stroked the ball around nicely and didn't shy away from challenges, but just didn't show enough quality when needed.
CM: Joelinton - 6/10 - Used his physicality well in the build-up to Isak's equaliser.
RW: Miguel Almiron - 7/10 - A surprise inclusion with Anthony Gordon ruled out but couldn't take advantage of the opportunity.
ST: Alexander Isak - 7/10 - Stayed onside to poke Newcastle but had more chances to score and didn't take them. Those missed opportunities proved costly.
LW: Harvey Barnes - 6/10 - Was never really allowed to build up a head of steam.
Substitutes
Joe Willock (68' for Barnes) - 6/10
Jacob Murphy (68' for Almiron) - 5/10
Sean Longstaff (68' for Tonali) - 6/10
William Osula (89' for Joelinton) - N/A
Lloyd Kelly (89' for Hall) - N/A
Subs not used: John Ruddy (GK), Odysseas Vlachodimos (GK), Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley.
Manager
Eddie Howe - 5/10 - Couldn't make significant chances to disrupt Chelsea's flow, with the hosts often enjoying too much time in possession.
