Newcastle continue winning run with win over Chelsea

Swiss defender Fabian Schar (L) celebrates after the final whistle of the Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Chelsea. (AFP)

• The Blues, who dominated United at St. James’ Park around 12 months ago, looked light years behind Eddie Howe’s side

NEWCASTLE: For the first time in 21 years Newcastle United find themselves in the top four of the Premier League at Christmas — and they ensured that statistic by out-classing, out-battling and out-scoring one of the so-called ‘big six’ elite.
A solitary Joe Willock strike in the second-half was enough to ensure three points remained on Tyneside — and send Chelsea home empty-handed — taking Newcastle’s total to 30 from 15 games.
Just two points separate United and Manchester City, Liverpool are eight behind the high-flying Magpies.
In a season where a lot has been made of Newcastle’s ‘ceiling’ as a football club, just ask Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp — but game-by-game it’s proving impossible to really know where this side maxes out.
Is Champions League football out of the question? Well, not on this evidence. It’s human nature to rule out a title tilt, but what have the Magpies got to fear? Only Liverpool, courtesy of a 98th minute winner, have handed the bitter taste of defeat to the black and whites.
The Blues, who dominated United at St. James’ Park around 12 months ago, looked light years behind Eddie Howe’s side, who were the outfit on the front foot, against a Chelsea side who looked content to contain. How the tables have turned.
On the team news from Howe made two changes to the team who beat Southampton last time out in the Premier League with Joelinton and Chris Wood selected ahead of Jacob Murphy and World Cup-bound Callum Wilson.
A cagey opening was sparked into life by the Magpies when midfielder Joe Willock turned Cesar Azpilicueta inside out before dinking toward the back post where Wood was beaten to the jump by Kalidou Koulibaly before man of the moment Miguel Almiron volleyed the clearance over the top.
At the other end, a goal-saving header from Sven Botman prevented Armando Broja from snatching an unlikely lead for the visitors.
The flashpoint in an otherwise dull half came as time ticked past 45 — and referee Robert Jones was at the center of controversy, as well as usual culprit VAR.
A six-yard box-bound cross from Dan Burn was stopped by the hand of Trevoh Chalobah, but nothing was given — no check, bizarrely, much to the dismay of the 52,000-strong crowd.
Just after the break it was United who remained on the front foot and dominant — and two quickfire chances almost saw them break the deadlock.
Kieran Trippier’s chip to the back post was nodded across goal by Joelinton and first Chris Wood then Bruno Guimaraes saw shots at goal blocked. Then immediately after recycling possession Trippier pulled back to Sean Longstaff who flipped the ball over from eight yards out.
United kept knocking but just couldn’t break down the door.
While the Magpies ramped up the pressure, it was their own errors in their defensive third that kept a fire burning for Graham Potter’s men. Conor Gallagher was almost a beneficiary of that when he curled a shot that looked destined for Nick Pope’s far left corner, however the England keeper signed off before heading to Qatar with one of his best saves of the season to turn around the post.
And this chance was the wake up call Howe’s Magpies needed as they netted the only goal of the game from the next attack.
A slick move that started with an instinctive Joelinton flick over the top, saw Miguel Almiron control with his head not once but twice and lay on a plate for Willock to smash home from the edge of the area.
The expected storm did not really materialize from Potter’s men, as they headed back down to the capital with their tail between their legs — and importantly, nine points behind Newcastle.
Not since the dizzying days of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson has this Geordie outfit been a real force in this division, but the feels of 20 years ago are flooding back to this northern outpost — and long may it continue for Howe’s top six-breakers.
It took United until March 10 this year to reach 30 points for the 2021/22 season. In 2022/23 they’ve done so by November 12. The rise of Howe’s Mags knows no bounds, and in a season that promised Premier League consolidation, United are making those who tried to monopolize success at the top of the division look like they’re on very unsteady ground.