Chelsea vs Newcastle United Player Ratings: 8/10 for Havertz, Rudiger; Guimaraes, Schar impress

A late strike from Kai Havertz helped Chelsea secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a steely Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Despite Chelsea making a bright start at Stamford Bridge, they could not carve out any openings as Newcastle United held their shape and defended with discipline before growing into the game. The Magpies pressed their opposition with intensity high up the pitch, disrupting the Blues’ rhythm.

As a result, the first half did not see a lot of chances being created, although Fabian Schar and Miguel Almiron did draw saves from Edouard Mendy, while Mason Mount and Kai Havertz came close for the home team. Bruno Guimaraes saw an effort miss narrowly in the second period, following which Newcastle had a genuine penalty shout for a foul on Jacob Murphy by Trevoh Chalobah turned down.

Chelsea should have broken the deadlock with 15 minutes left to play when Hakim Ziyech played a fine cross for Havertz, but the German directed his header straight to Martin Dubravka. But with just a minute of normal time left on the clock, Havertz came up with the goods, getting on the end of a sumptuous pass from Jorginho before beating the Newcastle goalkeeper to win it for his team.

Newcastle will feel hard done by the result as they were denied what looked like a clear penalty while their resolute performance was deserving of a point. Chelsea, though, will be pleased to bag another win, making it five in a row in the Premier League, ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League game against Lille. Here are our player ratings for both sets of players after a tightly-contested match at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea

Edouard Mendy: 6.5/10

A spectator for large parts, Mendy was not called into action frequently on the afternoon. However, the Chelsea ace made a good save to keep Almiron out late in the first half and produced another stop to deny Schar in the second period.

Trevoh Chalobah: 5/10

Starting at right-back in the absence of Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta, Chalobah was solid defensively for the most part. However, he was very fortunate not to give away a penalty when he clearly tugged Jacob Murphy’s shirt and brought him down. Given that he is not a natural in the position, he hardly offered anything going forward.

Andreas Christensen: 7/10

The Danish defender, who could be on his way to Barcelona in the summer, had a solid display at the heart of the Chelsea defence. He kept Chris Wood at bay for the most part and used the ball well, with one particular pass to create a chance for Timo Werner in the second half standing out.

Antonio Rudiger: 8/10

One of Chelsea’s best performers, Rudiger was full of intensity and aggression on the afternoon. The German international was resolute as usual in defence. But at the same time, he posed a threat on the ball with his forward surges and passes that cut open the Newcastle backline on a few occasions.

Malang Sarr: 5/10

Getting the nod at left-back with Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso unavailable, Sarr had a forgettable evening. The Frenchman was not assured enough defensively, while he did not offer much in the attacking sense either.

N’Golo Kante: 6.5/10

Back into the starting XI, the diminutive Frenchman shielded the backline and made several forward bursts when in possession, but it did not amount to much as Newcastle held firm at the back.

Jorginho: 7/10

The Italian was nowhere near his best for most of the game as his passing lacked the cutting edge to open up the Newcastle rearguard. However, Jorginho produced a sublime pass to set Havertz up for the winning goal, which bumps his rating.

Mason Mount: 5/10

The Player to Watch in our match preview, a lot was expected from Mount after his exploits in the midweek game against Norwich City. However, the England international put in a largely subdued display during which he hardly made any meaningful contribution. The academy graduate hit the side-netting in the first period, which was as good as it got for him.

Hakim Ziyech: 6.5/10

Back into the lineup, the Moroccan showed some spark in his attacking play, but Newcastle managed to keep him quiet for large parts. Ziyech did produce a fine ball for Havertz, but the German could not take advantage. The former Ajax ace worked hard off the ball throughout.

Timo Werner: 4/10

The German international was handed another start by Tuchel, but he failed to take his opportunity. Werner was constantly let down by his touch, one such occasion leading to him missing a golden opportunity. He drew a foul inside the Newcastle box in the second half but was flagged offside.

Kai Havertz: 8/10

Havertz was preferred over Romelu Lukaku once again, and he justified the faith shown by the manager with another sparkling display. While he was defended well by the Newcastle centre-backs, he kept them busy and was involved in many positive moments for Chelsea.

He then came up with the decisive contribution, latching on to Jorginho’s pass before beating Dubravka to win it for Chelsea. He almost scored another in stoppage time but Dubravka palmed his effort onto the bar.

SUBSTITUTES

Romelu Lukaku: 5/10

On for Werner a little past the hour mark. Frustrating cameo in which he hardly made a difference.

Mateo Kovacic: 7/10

Kovacic replaced Mount in the 63rd minute. He added more purpose and edge to Chelsea’s forward play.

Christian Pulisic: N/A

Came on in place of Sarr with less than 15 minutes left.

Newcastle United

Martin Dubravka: 5/10

The Newcastle United goalkeeper did not have much to do on the afternoon but did make a straightforward stop to keep Havertz out. Dubravka could have conceded a penalty in the second period but got lucky as Werner had strayed offside.

Javi Manquillo: 6/10

The Spaniard worked hard on the right side, looking to drive up the pitch when an opportunity presented itself while defending resolutely when required. Not the flashiest display, but Manquillo did his job for the most part.

Fabian Schar: 7.5/10

One of the top performers on the pitch on Sunday afternoon as the Newcastle defender hardly let anything get past him, making crucial interventions time and again. He even made a nuisance of himself in the Chelsea box and drew a save from Mendy. He deserves the new contract that is coming his way.

Jamaal Lascelles: 7/10

Returning to the starting XI, the Newcastle United captain put in an assured display at Stamford Bridge to ensure that Chelsea did not pose a threat for most of the afternoon. There were a few stray passes here and there, but it was a largely positive return to the team.

Dan Burn: 7/10

The January signing had done everything right for the entire game until the last moment when Havertz got past him to win it for Chelsea. Dan Burn will be disappointed at letting the German score after doing exceedingly well before that, as he popped up to make several key blocks while also posing a threat at the other end.

Matt Targett: 7/10

The Aston Villa loanee held his ground on the left side of the Newcastle backline, defending stoutly against whatever came his way. At the same time, he tried to push upfield and press the opposition, while some of his deliveries into the box were fine as well.

Miguel Almiron: 6.5/10

Returning to the starting XI after a while, the attacking midfielder worked his socks off, pressing Chelsea high up the pitch throughout his time on the field. He lacked the quality on the ball to make a difference, though, but he did force Mendy into a fine save in the first half.

Bruno Guimaraes: 7.5/10

Starting his second game in a row for Newcastle, the January signing was a composed presence in the middle of the park. The Brazilian battled hard against the much-acclaimed Chelsea midfield duo of Jorginho and Kante and hardly gave them an inch, while also being progressive with his passing. Guimaraes also came close to scoring in the second period, with his effort drifting just wide. Booked.

Sean Longstaff: 7/10

It was a surprise start for the midfielder, and he made the most of it. Longstaff worked tirelessly off the ball to keep Chelsea pinned down in their own half and even showed decent quality when on the ball, while he was never shy of going into tackles.

Jacob Murphy: 7/10

Starting on the left side, Murphy put in a hard-working display as he caused problems to Trevoh Chalobah going forward while always being available to help Targett out defensively. He should have been awarded a penalty after being pulled down by Chalobah, but the VAR bafflingly overlooked it.

Chris Wood: 5.5/10

The Newcastle United striker did not have many chances to threaten the Chelsea goal. However, he did lead the press well from the front and was a willing runner for the team’s cause.

SUBSTITUTES

Allan Saint-Maximin: 5/10

He was sent on in place of Almiron in the 69th minute. Did not see a lot of the ball.

Dwight Gayle: N/A

Stoppage-time substitute for Manquillo. Booked.

Ryan Fraser: N/A

Replaced Murphy in added time.