Blues return to the top four: Five things we learned from Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle | OneFootball

Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to victory as they returned to the Premier League top four after defeating Newcastle United 2-1.

Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Palmer ensured Enzo Maresca’s side secured their fifth win of the season, and promoting them up to fourth in the table.

Newcastle struggled but managed to put up a credible fight, but their poor form continues.

Here are five things we learnt from the match…

Jackson’s rich vein of form continues

Since moving to England, Nicolas Jackson still continues to have his doubters. Even after a successful first campaign in the Premier League, where he scored 14 goals, the Cameroonian has not been given the credit he deserves. Today the 23-year-old was excellent for Chelsea, a constant nuisance to the Newcastle backline, and was in the right place at the right time to tap home his sixth goal of the season in the first half.

Isak scores at long last

After the heavy heights of last season, Alexander Isak has thus far been unable to replicate the form that saw the Swedish international bag 21 league goals for Newcastle. Finding the back of the net only once this season for the Magpies, in their 2-1 win at home to Tottenham in August has coincided with Eddie Howe’s sides drop in form. The Swede looked up for it from the first minute, and his non-stop hard work was rewarded in the first half as he tapped in Lewis Hall’s low cross into the Chelsea penalty area.

Sloppy defence Chelsea’s undoing again

In the first half, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had a 50 per cent pass completion rate. Considering the Blues rarely go long from goal kicks and encourage their shot stoppers to be confident on the ball, the Spaniard’s distribution today was woeful. Sanchez’s passing allowed Newcastle into dangerous areas of the Chelsea half, prompting a rather surprise equaliser from the visitors. With Enzo Maresca wanting a ball playing goalkeeper, he might need to assess his current options or face similar issues in future games.

Unstoppable Cole Palmer

Another day, another goal for Cole Palmer. The 22-year-old scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season at the start of the second half after the first interval where he tore Newcastle to shreds. His outstanding whipped pass for Pedro Neto created the opener, and he constantly toyed with the visitors, with his moving with and without the ball a joy to watch. His goal two minutes after the break was just deserve for another outstanding match.

Chelsea return to top four

After two seasons of mid table mediocrity and slow progress, Chelsea have finally made their return to the top four of the Premier League. After Mauricio Pochettino guided the Blues back into European football with sixth place last season, Enzo Maresca has got the west Londoners playing on another level this campaign. Three wins in a row in the Conference League and now a return to the top four, Chelsea are once again becoming a serious team to deal with.