Chelsea continued their impressive ascent in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, thanks to a standout performance from Cole Palmer.
The young forward netted his seventh goal of the season, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in a Blues side revitalized under manager Enzo Maresca.
After a lively first half, Chelsea took the lead in the 18th minute. Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net with a crisp finish from Pedro Neto’s square ball, following a superb pass from Palmer that set the move in motion.
However, the advantage was short-lived as Alexander Isak struck back for Newcastle, tapping in the equalizer just 14 minutes later to leave the sides level at halftime.
Chelsea began the second half with intent, and Palmer soon showcased his clinical edge, firing a clean strike from just inside the penalty area to beat Nick Pope at his near post.
It was a goal that not only underscored his burgeoning talent but also proved vital in securing all three points for the Blues.
Newcastle had opportunities to find an equalizer, notably when Isak rounded Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, only to see his effort thwarted by determined Chelsea defenders.
The visitors thought they had a penalty late in the game when Christopher Nkunku was brought down, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, leaving the travelling fans frustrated.
With this victory, Chelsea moved up to fourth in the Premier League table, having won five of their nine league fixtures this season. They could slip to fifth depending on Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, but their form under Maresca has been impressive, with the only losses coming against powerhouse teams Manchester City and Liverpool.
In contrast, Newcastle remains in 12th place and is now winless in their last five league outings, raising concerns about their form as the season progresses.
