Match Report: Chelsea FC 3-0 Newcastle United

Chelsea beat Newcastle 3-0 at Stamford bridge to go top of the league after Arsenal’s early set back at Liverpool and Manchester City’s away draw against Norwich. Eden Hazard provided an incredible hat trick for Jose Mourinho’s side for the crucial three points. The Belgian was Man of the match and he is making a case for himself as the undisputed best young player in the world and a future Ball’n dor winner in few years to come. Now let’s look at the stats and the report of how this victory unfolded…

Starting 11s: 

Chelsea FC (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard (c); Hazard (Schurrle 85′), Oscar, Willian (Salah 78′); Eto’o (71′)

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Krul; Debuchy (Yang-mbiwa 40′), Williamson, Taylor, Dummett; Anita (Marveaux 84′), Santon; Ben Arfa (Gosling 64′), Sissoko, Ameobi; De Jong

Summary:

The match started with the Blues enjoying a share of possession but, Newcastle were on a mission to disrupt our build-up by having to press high up the pitch. They had couple of chances early on as Hatem Ben Arfa got few shots on target but, Petr Cech saved the chances on goal.

On the other side, the visitors had closed every space that the Blues can exploit to go upfront with a lead. Oscar had a close shot that went inches wide of the left post. Lampard also shot almost straight at Tim Krul who saved comfortably as well.

But, the time arrived and Eden Hazard combined well with Ivanovic on the right hand side and shot immediately after receiving a pass from Ivanovic. The shot was too powerful and well on target for Krul to deny us going 1-0 up. The crowd started to believe this will be an easy victory and a crucial 3 pointers to lead us top of the league.

Then, the Blues started to defend well and counter attack at ease to extend the lead and wrap up the three points. The threat of Debuchy marking Hazard on the left side of the pitch was avoided as the Belgian’s former team mate at Lille was withdrawn with an ankle injury.

And few minutes later, the Blues scored a goal from a counter attack that started from a cleared corner by Matic. Willian drove high up the pitch with incredible pace and laid the ball on to Hazard. The Belgian then passed it to Eto’o with the Cameroonian assisting with a beautiful back heel to set up Hazard’s second.

Soon afterwards, the half whistle was blown with Chelsea leading 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The home side clearly dominated the first half with other missed chances from Samuel Eto’o.

Second Half:

The restart of the second half didn’t bring any changes of attitude and tactic from Newcastle as Chelsea yet again started to press high and get the 3rd goal to secure the victory.

David Luiz had lofted a ball forward and as it bounced, Krul, who had raced to meet it, realized he had come too far and was outside his area. As he slammed on the brakes he slipped and the ball cleared him. Unfortunately it also rolled wide of the goal just too far ahead of the chasing Oscar.

Krul needed treatment on his ankle soon after but played on and was able to pouch the ball as an Eto’o shot was half-blocked by Williamson.

The blues then few minutes later had a penalty with Howard Webb spotting Yang-mbiwa’s foul on Eto’o in the penalty box. Then, Lampard who could have gotten his 50th penalty goal for Chelsea allowed Hazard to take the spot kick. And the Belgian made no mistake as he scored his first hat trick for Chelsea.

The lead is now well intact as Newcastle players started to throw their legs into every path of Chelsea players and getting booked. Soon after, Mourinho brought in Demba Ba on the 71st minute for Samuel Eto’o. Chelsea were calm and enjoying possession of the ball as Newcastle tried to get a consolation goal at least.

Later on, Mourinho gave our new player Mohamed Salah his debut at Stamford Bridge coming on as a sub for Willian. The Egyptian lost the ball quite few times and didn’t look like going for physical battles as he wasn’t accustomed to that style of English physicality.

But, the Egyptian lost his markers and got on the end of Oscar’s pass and almost scored a goal on his debut if not for a save by Krul. He was also unlucky since the chance came on his weaker foot.

Schurrle replaced Hazard with 85 minutes gone with the crowd at the Bridge rising up in huge ovation for our tricky winger who scored a hat trick. A moment of panicking was there during the closing stages as the back line made a mistake of not tacking up which almost got Newcastle a consolation goal.

Moments later, Howard Webb blew the final whistle and Chelsea go top of the Barclays premier league as Manchester City drew 0-0 at Norwich away.

Thanks for reading and congrats on the victory, Follow me on twitter (@FahmiCFC) and KTBFFH!