Kai Havertz scored a 90th-minute winner as Chelsea saw off Newcastle 1-0 and keep their recent winning run while ending the Magpies’ nine-match unbeaten streak.
The Blues did not have a single shot on target in the first half, with the visitors getting a good chance on the stroke of half-time.
After a cagey opening half-hour, Newcastle came agonizingly close to drawing first blood in the 35th minute when Dan Burn’s towering header from a pinpoint delivery went inches wide of the left post.
Just before the first-half whistle, the Magpies got another chance when midfielder Miguel Almiron unleashed a vicious 25-yard volley which was however saved by Edouard Mendy.
The second half saw an improved Blues’ performance, partially thanks to the changes made by coach Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues were lucky not to have conceded a penalty early on in the second period when Trevoh Chalobah brought down a player inside the box in the 58th minute, but after a VAR check, the match was allowed to continue.
Mateo Kovačić and Romelu Lukaku were thrown in to help get maximum points, and after half-chances, the goal finally arrived with a minute of normal time to play.
Havertz latched onto an accurate pass and took the ball down with sublime perfection before flicking it past Martin Dúbravka to get the home crowd grooving.
The victory means the Blues keep pace with second-placed Liverpool, with only six points separating the two sides.
