Chelsea left it late but came away with a 2-1 win over Newcastle thanks to a late DeAndre Yedlin own goal St James’ Park on Sunday.
An uneventful first hour saw the Blues largely frustrated by Rafa Benitez’s tactics in a spirited defensive performance from Newcastle, before Eden Hazard gave Chelsea the lead through a 76th-minute penalty.
Joselu leveled for Newcastle soon after, but Yedlin’s unfortunate deflection allowed Chelsea to maintain Maurizio Sarri’s 100 percent winning record in the Premier League.
Hazard also went closest for Chelsea in what was a dry first half, but was unable to sort his feet out upon reaching the edge of the six-yard box.
The hosts were happy to play without the ball and in their own half, with striker Salomon Rondon having a quiet game.
Benitez’s decision to switch to a back three paid off, snuffing out Chelsea and their new possession style.
Cesar Azpilicueta had a low shot from the edge of the area easily saved by Martin Dubravka at the start of the second half, but had to wait until the 72nd minute to threaten again when Antonio Rudiger’s shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Fabian Schar brought down Marcos Alonso in the box, and though replays showed he got the ball first, a penalty was awarded, and Hazard converted on his return to the Chelsea starting line up.
The action did not end there though as Yedlin deflected goalwards a low drive from Marcos Alonso, and Chelsea held on to claim all three points.
