Chelsea player ratings vs Newcastle: Cole Palmer proves his point with another match-winning display as Nicolas Jackson impresses again while Reece James struggles to answer Enzo Maresca’s call
The England midfielder scored one and helped create another at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca's side got back to winning ways in the Premier League
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Questions were asked of Cole Palmer following Chelsea’s loss at Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, but the England midfielder bounced back in sensational fashion to lead the Blues to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.
Palmer thought he had given Enzo Maresca’s side an early lead when he latched onto Nicolas Jackson’s pass, but his strike was ruled out for offside. However, Chelsea did break the deadlock after 18 minutes as Pedro Neto latched onto Palmer’s delicious through-ball and squared for Jackson to tap home.
The Blues were the better side, but found themselves pegged back when Alexander Isak stole in to prod Lewis Hall’s left-wing cross into an empty net. However, Palmer stepped up to re-establish the home side’s lead two minutes into the second half when he powered a strike past Nick Pope at his near post.
Neto hit the post with a header shortly after, but Chelsea had to work hard to see out the victory, with Reece James and Moises Caicedo both making last-ditch blocks to deny Isak a second equaliser.
GOALÂ rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Robert Sanchez (5/10):
Had no chance with Isak’s goal and wasn’t really stretched otherwise. Some of his distribution, though, was abysmal.
Malo Gusto (7/10):
Drifted centrally as Chelsea attacked, meaning he found plenty of space to cause Newcastle problems. Very good defensively up against Barnes, too. Goal came from his flank but he was outnumbered.
Wesley Fofana (7/10):
Recovered from an early booking and injury scare to enjoy a successful return from suspension. Fine block denied Almiron in the first half.
Levi Colwill (7/10):
Oozed confidence in most of what he did and carried the ball well when in possession. Won the ball back on halfway to spark the move for the second goal.
Reece James (5/10):
Deployed in an unfamiliar role at left-back and the captain didn’t always look comfortable, while his cross-field balls were easily cut out. Failed to track Isak’s run for the equaliser, though did nod block the Swede’s goalbound header in the second half.
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AFPMidfield
Romeo Lavia (6/10):
Had a couple of wayward passes early on but settled in eventually and put himself about in midfield. Perhaps could have been stronger in the build-up to Newcastle’s equaliser, but made up for it by holding off tacklers to claim the assist for Palmer’s strike.
Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Put out fires in midfield and looked to spread the play when in possession. Got back brilliantly to deny Isak from making it 2-2 with Sanchez out of the picture.
Cole Palmer (9/10):
Given the freedom of Stamford Bridge and he made sure to make Newcastle pay. Unlucky to have his early effort ruled out for offside but his pass to spring Neto for Jackson’s was outrageous. Eventually got his goal early in the second half as he began to answer some of his recent critics.
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AFPAttack
Noni Madueke (6/10):
Provided an outlet down the right but couldn’t produce in the final third as he would have liked. Had a couple of weak efforts before being replaced midway through the second half.
Nicolas Jackson (8/10):
Gave Burn the run-around in the first half, both by using his strength when dropping deep and then with his pace in behind. Deserved his goal for an excellent all-round showing.
Pedro Neto (7/10):
Used his pace to get in behind and lay on Jackson’s goal, and caused plenty of problems for Livramento. Unlucky to see his header come back off the post.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):
Replaced Madueke and stung Pope’s palms with an effort in the closing stages.
Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Kept things relatively stable after coming on for Lavia.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Replaced Gusto for the final few minutes.
Christopher Nkunku (6/10):
Thought he’d won a late penalty but VAR overruled after his tussle with Burn.
Enzo Maresca (7/10):
Experimenting with James at left-back didn’t go as well as he would have hoped, but the movement of Gusto – a staple of Maresca’s full-backs – allowed Palmer to thrive.
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