Europa Conference League: Chelsea Triumph over Newcastle Bolsters 3-2
In a gripping encounter at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea showcased their determination for a European football berth with a spirited 3-2 triumph over Newcastle.
Chelsea is still in eleventh place, but they are over four points ahead of West Ham in seventh, so they should at least guarantee a spot in the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday put the Blues back in the running for European football next season, which lessened the criticism directed towards manager Mauricio Pochettino.
At Stamford Bridge, Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Mykhailo Mudryk scored for the home team.
Chelsea is still in eleventh place, but they are just four points behind West Ham in seventh, so they should at least guarantee a spot in the Europa Conference League.
After suffering their 12th loss of the year, Newcastle is now only one point ahead of Chelsea in 10th place.
As Newcastle, supported by Saudi Arabia, failed to capitalize on their fourth-place position from the previous season to earn a spot in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Eddie Howe’s pressure is also mounting.
However, Pochettino was up against a more vocal opposition from inside his own team.
During last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brentford, Chelsea supporters demanded that the Argentine be fired.
The former Tottenham manager’s first season in charge has not gone well; last month, the team lost the League Cup final to a seriously injured Liverpool.
However, Pochettino had cause for optimism as some of his highly criticized young players appeared to be developing.
After fewer than six minutes, Jackson deftly flicked in Palmer’s shot to bring his tally for the first season to twelve goals.
The season befell Chelsea, though, as they were unable to build on their impressive start, allowing Newcastle to dominate the remainder of the first half.
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Anthony Gordon’s forced substitution halfway through the first period dealt a blow to the visitors’ injury report.
Two minutes before halftime, though, Alexander Isak equalized the score for Newcastle with a beautiful finish that he sent low into the far corner.
Palmer has been the only new addition Chelsea has been able to depend on this season, and the England international decisively gave his team the lead again shortly before the hour mark.
Palmer received a feed from Enzo Fernandez, cut inside, and scored his 11th Premier League goal of the year with a strong shot.
On the other hand, since arriving for £88 million ($113 million) a little over a year ago, Mudryk has consistently irritated several Chelsea coaches.
After just five minutes of play, the Ukrainian striker scored his sixth goal in 46 Chelsea appearances by using his lightning-fast speed to break through the Newcastle defense.
The hosts had a nervous ending thanks to a tremendous shot from Jacob Murphy into the top corner.
But in the latest setback of a lackluster campaign, it was too little, too late for the visitors.
