Palmer inspires Chelsea to victory and warns: We’ll only get better

Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to a 3-2 win against Newcastle in the Premier League, assisting one and scoring another on Monday Night Football.

The 21-year-old continued to show why he has been the Blues’ best player this season, picking up an assist inside six minutes as Nicolas Jackson flicked home his shot.

Alexander Isak’s well-taken goal (43) just before the break got Newcastle level before Palmer fired Chelsea back ahead in the second half.

Palmer shot from almost the same place as his assist – just at the top of the area – this time needing no help in beating the goalkeeper (57). It marked his fifth goal-and-assist combination in a Premier League game this season – the highest in the league.

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Cole Palmer restores Chelsea’s lead with a moment of magic at Stamford Bridge

The cherry was added onto the cake late on as Mykhailo Mudryk’s cool finish added Chelsea’s third (76), but Newcastle made sure of a nervy finish thanks to Jacob Murphy’s rocketed effort on the stroke of the 90 minutes.

Palmer: We showed the courage to play

After the game, Palmer warned that there was a lot more to come from a talented Chelsea squad.

He told Sky Sports: “I think there’s so much talent at Chelsea. The fans don’t see it, you guys don’t see it. But I think the way that the manager works us on the training pitch, it is only going to get better.

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Cole Palmer reflects on his brilliant goal against Newcastle and explains why he made the decision to leave Manchester City for Chelsea

“If not next season, the season after. It’s a project, everyone is young and trying to play well. You will see it sooner or later.”

“We’ve had some difficult results, obviously the cup final against Liverpool, Wolves and many games.

“To get points is vital for us. We showed a bit of passion and had the courage to play because that’s what we need as a young team.

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“We are going to make mistakes, everybody is going to make mistakes, it’s just about moving onto the next one.”

The victory leaves Chelsea on 39 points, three away from Brighton in eighth with a game in hand. Newcastle are ahead by a point in 10th.

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The pick of Cole Palmer’s best goals so far this season as the Chelsea forward continues to impress.

Pochettino hopes to build on victory

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino warned after the victory that there will be more problems for his side if they fail to build on the three points.

“We need to understand that we are Chelsea,” Pochettino said. “We are in a project that is completely different (to the past). Some people might be confused. When people don’t want to listen, it’s difficult.

“But we are trying to explain we are a different Chelsea, we are building something different. It’s going to be tough.

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Mark McAdam explains how Cole Palmer is on par with Jude Bellingham for U21 players with most assists and goals across Europe

“We need to keep believing, even when it’s tough circumstances. We played (the Carabao Cup) final, 120 minutes, then after three days we play the FA Cup and we play Brentford. In six days we played three very tough games, nearly with the same team.

“It was really tough. If that means we are a disaster, OK. The most important thing is it’s not affecting the team. They know what they need to do and we keep believing.

“The win today is important for our fans to be a little bit more calm. But I think if we don’t win our next game, it’s going to be again a problem. That is Chelsea.”

How Palmer inspired Chelsea on MNF

Chelsea were back at Stamford Bridge after 36 days, and after a draw against Brentford last time out drew the ire of some fans, needed to impress at home. And it took just six minutes for them to take the lead.

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Nicolas Jackson gets the vital touch to give Chelsea the lead

Malo Gusto’s initial shot was only cleared as far as Palmer at the edge of the box. He took on the shot, but it was a clever flick from Nicolas Jackson from close range that sent the ball past a diving Martin Dubravka.

Team news headlines

  • Chelsea made two changes from their 2-2 draw with Brentford. Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill were not in the matchday squad.
  • Marc Cucurella returned to the XI for his first appearance since December, with Raheem Sterling also starting.
  • Newcastle also made two changes from the Wolves win. Kieran Trippier, who has a calf problem, was replaced by Tino Livramento while Miguel Almiron came in for Jacob Murphy. Lewis Hall was unavailable to face his parent club.

Newcastle perhaps thought their luck was down when Anthony Gordon was taken off with a knee injury, with the Magpies on the cusp of their best spell of the game.

And they made it count just before the break. Chelsea were unable to keep hold of the ball in midfield with Alexander Isak driving forward. He then curled the ball around his marker and into the back of the net for a deserved equaliser.

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Isak makes it 1-1 just minutes before the break with a brilliant low finish into the back of the net

The second half began at a pace with chances at both end. Djordje Petrovic made a superb early save from Miguel Almiron, before Raheem Sterling fired into the side netting after some more Palmer magic.

And it was the 21-year-old – with England manager Gareth Southgate watching on – who inevitably saw Chelsea back ahead. He was picked out by a defence-splitting Enzo Fernandez pass, before rifling home from the edge of the area.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Petrovic (6), Cucurella (7), Chalobah (6), Disasi (6), Fernandez (7), Caicedo (6), Gallagher (7), Gusto (8), Sterling (6), Jackson (6), Palmer (8).

Subs: Mudryk (6), Casaedi (n/a), Chukwuemeka (n/a).

Newcastle: Dubravka (5), Livramento (6), Schar (6), Botman (6), Burn (7), Longstaff (6), Guimaraes (6), Willock (5), Almiron (7), Isak (6), Gordon (6).

Subs: Murphy (7), Krafth (6), Anderson (6), Miley (6), White (6).

Player of the Match: Cole Palmer.

The Blues could have added an immediate third – but were denied by Dan Burn’s thigh. Sterling was through one-on-one with Dubravka, eventually rounding the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared off the line by the Newcastle defender.

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Mudryk adds a third for Chelsea as the home side look to wrap up the victory

Burn was another injury casualty for Newcastle, coming off in the 69th minute, and Chelsea went on to add another shortly after. It was a sublime moment from Mudryk, who nipped in ahead of Conor Gallagher to pick up a loose ball. He then sent it through the legs of Fabian Schar and around the oncoming Dubravka before coolly slotting home.

The super finishes kept on coming, and Newcastle made sure it would be a fight to the finish. Jacob Murphy – who excelled after coming on for Gordon – rolled Marc Cucurella before rifling into the net, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser in stoppage time.

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Murphy’s thunderous strike in the 90th minute gave the visitors hope of finding a way back into the game

Pochettino: Fans need to trust us in our performance

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino to Sky Sports:

“It’s a massive three points for us. We beat a very good team. They are so good and overall, it was good in some moments, it was quite even. But then we scored three goals, and I’m really satisfied.

“I’m a little bit disappointed in how we conceded the goal because we need to be more mature and find the right capacity to fix this situation. But it’s the first time we’ve played with this defensive line so they need to work and know each other better, but overall, I’m very happy.

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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has called on the fans and players to come together following their impressive display against Newcastle

“We [fans and staff] need to realise that we need to stick together. Until the end, we are going to fight and this group of players are going to fight to try to give our fans the best things that we can do. We need to build this relationship and today helped.

“We scored from the beginning and the fans were good. They were behind us and we need to keep going. Our concern is to perform, win games and build this relationship. They need to trust in us in our performance.”

Howe: We can defend better than tonight

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Eddie Howe reflected on Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Chelsea in what he described as a strange game but was disappointed with manner of the goals in which they conceded

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to Sky Sports:

“Strange game, frustrating one for us because we started well and conceded with their first attack. I don’t think it was a game with a lot of chances, but it was a high-scoring game.

“We were good in spells but obviously not good enough overall because the goals we conceded were really poor.

“I don’t think we had a problem with the overall flow of the game. We were competitive and creative, the final ball was maybe not good enough today. We had a lot of opportunities to test their back four.

“All three goals [conceded] were similar in their characteristics. We didn’t defend those situations well enough and you’re going to lose games if you do that.

“It is a familiar feeling from the last few months for us on the road. It’s been a tough spell for us and tonight epitomised that for us. We were good, but overall you’re left feeling disappointed because we know we can defend better than that.

On Gordon injury: “I can’t add much to it other than it was a knee injury. Strange, there as no mechanism or moment when he felt it, it was just there in the game according to Anthony at half-time when he was in quite a bit of pain.

“So we don’t know how bad that is.”

On Burn injury: “I don’t think he’s too bad.”

Opta stats – The goalscorer milestones

  • Since the start of November, only Brentford (8) have lost more Premier League away games than Newcastle (7), while the Magpies have shipped the most goals on the road during this period (24 in 9 games).
  • Nicolas Jackson’s opening goal (5:46), was Chelsea’s earliest in a Premier League home game since December 2018 against Fulham (Pedro in the 4th minute).
  • Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has either scored (2) or assisted (1) in each of his last three home appearances in all competitions, with five of his six goals for the Blues coming at Stamford Bridge.
  • Alexander Isak became just the third Newcastle player to score home and away against Chelsea in a single Premier League campaign after Alan Shearer (1996-97) and Dwight Gayle (2017-18).

What’s next?

Chelsea host Championship side Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday March 17, kick-off 12.45pm. They return to Premier League action after the international break at home to Burnley on Saturday March 30. Kick-off 3pm.

Newcastle head to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm. Their next Premier League fixture is at home to West Ham on Saturday March 30, kick-off 12.30pm.

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PL hits and misses: Palmer delivers perfect England audition

Perfect Palmer a no-brainer for England

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Newcastle

There is no doubt over whether Cole Palmer will earn an England call-up this week, the bigger question is if he should start in the Three Lions’ upcoming games against Brazil and Belgium.

Palmer was the best player on the pitch against Newcastle as he registered his 11th goal and eighth assist of the Premier League season.

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Mark McAdam explains how Cole Palmer is on par with Jude Bellingham for U21 players with most assists and goals across Europe

While Anthony Gordon failed to make the most of his audition in front of the watching Gareth Southgate at Stamford Bridge, Palmer sailed through his. But where could Palmer fit in this England side? Bukayo Saka has the right-wing spot nailed while Phil Foden has been playing his best football in a central role for Manchester City.

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The pick of Cole Palmer’s best goals so far this season as the Chelsea forward continues to impress.

“Palmer is perfect for all types of football but certainly for international football where you need class and composure in the final third,” said Sky Sports’ Gary Neville.

Palmer, 21, earned his first two caps last year and looks set to win many more. A composed penalty taker, too, he ticks all the boxes to play a leading part in England’s future.
David Richardson

Van Dijk immense in makeshift backline

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from thrilling draw between Liverpool and Manchester City

In all the theatre of Liverpool’s pulsating 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Anfield, the one-on-one duel between Erling Haaland and Virgil van Dijk late in the first half stood out.

Jamie Carragher had described the fixture as “the highest-quality game in Europe” in the build-up. And there it was, distilled in one moment. The best striker up against the best defender.

Haaland did manage to get his shot off. But the back-peddling Van Dijk did just about enough to ensure it was not an overly threatening one. Carragher labelled the passage of play a “draw” between the two players. But Van Dijk came out on top in the end.

In fact, that tame shot was Haaland’s only one of the afternoon. A player who averages more than four of them per game barely threatened. It was down in large part to Liverpool’s captain.

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Super Sunday provided a colossal match-up as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk took on Manchester City’s Erling Haaland during their title-race crunch match!

He did have one shaky moment when the Norwegian nicked possession off him deep in Liverpool territory. But this was another game in which he has stepped up when his team-mates needed him.

He had to be at his best. Not just because of the quality of Liverpool’s opponent but because of the state of the defensive unit around him. Ibrahima Konate’s absence meant his centre-back partner was the 21-year-old Jarell Quansah. At right-back, there was the 20-year-old Conor Bradley. At left-back, a right-footed centre-back in Joe Gomez.

In front of second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Van Dijk held it all together, making a string of vital defensive interventions and bringing some much-needed composure on the ball, his pass success rate of 97.5 per cent the highest of any player on the pitch.

For Liverpool, after subjecting City to a second-half onslaught following a difficult first period, the only regret was that they could not turn one point into three. Without Van Dijk, though, they would likely have ended up with nothing at all.
Nick Wright

De Bruyne sub a big, but correct, decision

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Kevin De Bruyne in unhappy with the Manchester City bench after being substituted at Anfield

Sometimes, the big games call for big decisions. Pep Guardiola has had his fair share of both, and made another one against Liverpool on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne has proved his talent time and again – his corner for John Stones’ opener a prime example. But overall, he arguably did not have his best game against Liverpool.

For much of the match, Liverpool’s midfield three of Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai overran that of Man City’s. Guardiola knew the game plan was not working, and a different approach was needed.

Taking De Bruyne off in any game of such magnitude is a huge call – but it was needed. He simply was not keeping hold of the ball when Man City craved control, and was not able to be his efficient self going forward either.

Matteo Kovacic was one of the introductions – as was Jeremy Doku, who hit the post late on – and Man City began to claw back some control in the middle of the park. Yes, Liverpool still created openings, but they certainly matched up better.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted there is no issue with Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian looked frustrated to be substituted off against Liverpool at Anfield

As Roy Keane said, De Bruyne needed a pep talk from Pep on the bench after airing his complaints as he came off. He maybe had a point after good first half, but football is a team game and ultimately, the Belgian will know that is the case.

Explaining his choice, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “That’s good. He will have a chance next game to prove himself. We need a player who keeps the ball. It’s not about pressing. Kovacic is really good at that. We were happy with Kevin. It’s not a problem.”

It’s an ominous warning that a player of De Bruyne’s calibre is being told to ‘prove himself’, but it is rare that he – or Man City – will have two below par games in a row. And while Guardiola’s move may not have affected the scoreline in their favour, it did not lose it either and in a title race this close, it could make all the difference come May 19.
Charlotte Marsh

Villa lose their cool in Spurs rout

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Tottenham’s win against Aston Villa in the Premier League

John McGinn chose the wrong day to lose his head as Aston Villa imploded and handed Tottenham the initiative in the race for the Champions League.

It had been a spiky and tense encounter until McGinn took it a step too far and was sent off for the first time in 244 appearances after Villa had already lost focus following James Maddison’s opener.

Unai Emery’s side didn’t recover to falling behind, conceding again within four minutes before McGinn compounded their frustration with his reckless tackle on Destiny Udogie. Villa allowed Spurs’ Heung-Min Son and Timo Werner to turn it into a rout late on.

John McGinn
Image:
John McGinn is shown a red card

“We have to control our emotions, even when we are losing 2-0. We have a responsibility to be mature,” said Emery.

It should act as a learning curve for his side who escaped with a victory at Brentford earlier in the season when tempers boiled over. This time, against better opposition, they did not get away with it.

They have an important last-16 second leg against Ajax on Thursday in the Europa League followed by 10 league matches to achieve their Champions League dream. Villa must keep their cool.
David Richardson

Spurs forwards find shooting boots at the right time

Heung-min Son

Ange Postecoglou had plenty of reasons to be pleased after Spurs’ thrashing of Aston Villa. They’re now two points behind their rivals. They have a game in hand. And their goal difference is superior after an eight-goal swing.

But the most promising takeaway for Postecoglou from Villa Park was the identity of the scorers on Sunday. James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Heung-min Son and Timo Werner. Postecoglou’s forwards are finding their goalscoring boots at the right time.

“What’s important for us is that we scored four good goals from four key players who need to be scoring for us,” he said. “I keep saying that that’s the area of the park where I don’t think we’ve got bang for our buck, considering how hard we work in that front third.”

Spurs will need the collective power of their attacking arsenal to see them through a treacherous run-in, which includes a run of three consecutive games against the three title chasers.

The football at Villa, at least in the second half, resembled the Angeball that made Spurs so thrilling earlier this season. Combining this ruthless streak with that free-flowing style should see Spurs home in the race for Champions League football.
Zinny Boswell

Dunk shows he is the complete defender

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the clash between Brighton and Nottingham Forest

This was a game where the Lewis Dunk of old was in his element.

He’s always been one to scrap, fight and make important clearances, learning that skill in the 2010/11 season when Brighton won promotion from League One. He needed all those attributes to help Brighton grind out this victory. That was all before he became one of the best playmaking centre-backs in the Premier League after a sensational development to his game that has led to him being in England contention for the Euros. But that’s the beauty of Dunk as a footballer – he can do it all.

Defend his box when required. Switch 60-yard balls out to his teammates. And start attacks with clever and crisp passing. Were you watching Gareth Southgate? In this form, Dunk has a great chance of starting England’s first European Championship game against Serbia on June 16.
Lewis Jones

England hopefuls fluff their lines as Southgate watches on

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the game between West Ham and Burnley

England boss Gareth Southgate will name his squad for the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on Thursday afternoon and he was in attendance at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, perhaps giving West Ham’s three internationals a last-minute chance to convince him they should be included.

Kalvin Phillips, James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen all started for the Hammers – but only two made it into the second half.

After a pretty dire team performance in the first half, the former two were hooked at the break, replaced by Michail Antonio and Edson Alvarez.

Speaking after the game, David Moyes insisted the decision to withdraw them was not personal.

“I had to make some changes, In had to try and do something,” he said. “It could have been any one of many players who came off at that time. I just felt we had to try and get more attacking players on.” His approach worked.

Phillips has not enjoyed the best time in east London since his loan move from Man City, though has been a mainstay of Southgate’s squad for the best part of four years. Ward-Prowse, however, has not been part of the squad since September 2022 and his wait for a recall may go on.
Dan Long

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