Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea: Reece James brace as Blues extend pt gap with contenders

Chelsea have pulled further clear at the top of the Premier League table after their comfortable victory over Newcastle, which saw Reece James become their unlikely hero in front of goal.

Match Report

The visitors were forced to be patient at St James' Park, with Hakim Ziyech having seen a goal disallowed and a strike crack against the woodwork - but two sumptuous efforts from James sealed the result.

James was handed time and space down the right after a floated cross dropped towards him, and he dispatched a venomous shot into the top corner. His second was equally as stunning, a half-volley beyond Karl Darlow.

With just under ten minutes until time, Chelsea were awarded a penalty following a foul from goalkeeper Darlow on Kai Havertz. Jorginho stepped up and, in typically cool fashion, the midfielder slotted home.

More to follow.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match!

13' Callum Wilson's header over the bar

28' OFFSIDE! Ziyech's goal disallowed

33' CHANCE! Ziyech's shot over the bar

42' CLOSE! Lascelles's golden chance

45' Darlow denied Ziyech's shot

47' OFF THE POST! Ziyech nearly scores for Chelsea

51' Jorginho's long shot over the bar

53' Yellow Card! Kante booked

60' Darlow denied Reece James's long shot

64' GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea (Reece James)

76' GOAL! Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea (Reece James)

80' Penalty Goal! Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea (Jorginho)

Line-ups

Newcastle XI: Ritchie, Callum Wilson, Clark, Darlow, Fraser, Krafth, Lascelles, Hayden, Manquillo, Saint-Maximin, S. Longstaff

Subs: Dubravka, Shelvey, Schar, Gayle, Almiron, J.Murphy, Joelinton, Lewis, Willock

Chelsea XI: Thiago Silva, Jorginho, Rudiger, Christensen, E. Mendy, Kante, Ziyech, Chilwell, Havertz, Reece James, Hudson-Odoi

Subs: Azpilicueta, Alonso, Saul , Barkley, M. Bettinelli, Kepa, Loftus-Cheek, T. Chalobah, Sarr