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Timo Werner\u2019s first goal in 15 Premier League games sent Chelsea back into the top four as the Blues saw off Newcastle 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\nTimo Werner\u2019s first goal in 15 Premier League games sent Chelsea back into the top four as the Blues saw off Newcastle 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Olivier Giroud also found the net as Chelsea coasted past a worryingly-limited Newcastle, although the Blues lost Tammy Abraham to a nasty-looking ankle injury.<\/p>\n
Werner\u2019s first league strike since November 7 meant the Germany hitman\u2019s top-flight goal drought lasted exactly 1,000 minutes.<\/p>\n
New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had insisted only a goal could restore Werner\u2019s shattered confidence and now the west Londoners will hope the \u00a353million man can rediscover top form.<\/p>\n
The former RB Leipzig striker backed up his first league goal since the 4-1 win over Sheffield United with an assist for Giroud in an encouraging all-round showing.<\/p>\n
Chelsea\u2019s win pushed West Ham down to fifth on goal difference, with defending champions Liverpool slipping to sixth place.<\/p>\n
The Blues will face plenty of tougher top-flight tests, but new manager Tuchel has now overseen four straight league wins.<\/p>\n
Newcastle looked a far cry from their morale-boosting recent wins over Everton and Southampton and must improve markedly from this lackluster showing to avoid a relegation battle that runs right to the wire.<\/p>\n
Chelsea\u2019s constant dominance owed as much to Newcastle\u2019s startlingly-limited approach and ability as the hosts\u2019 quality.<\/p>\n
Tuchel handed under-fire goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga his first league start since October, having insisted the Spain star has a \u201cnew start\u201d under him at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Kepa would have been hard pressed to deliver anything other than a clean sheet amid Newcastle\u2019s derisory attack, but the 26-year-old will doubtless be boosted by the shut-out.<\/p>\n
Dwight Gayle flicked over his own bar to thwart Cesar Azpilicueta\u2019s goal-bound header early on.<\/p>\n
The unmarked Tammy Abraham nodded Mason Mount\u2019s cross wide and then Jamaal Lascelles felled the England striker in the box.<\/p>\n
Lascelles avoided censure for his scissors tackle on Abraham, breathing a sigh of relief when no penalty was awarded.<\/p>\n
Abraham attempted to play through the pain of a clear ankle problem but was forced to concede defeat only moments later.<\/p>\n
Werner prodded wide at full stretch after Marcos Alonso\u2019s smart header back across the box as Chelsea\u2019s chances stacked up.<\/p>\n
Finally the hosts hit the target and took the lead as Karl Darlow spilled Werner\u2019s cross to gift Giroud the opener.<\/p>\n
The France striker swept home gleefully for an easy finish.<\/p>\n
Werner then finally ended his goal drought, tapping in at the far post after Giroud had failed to connect with a high, hanging cross.<\/p>\n
Chelsea took that 2-0 lead into the break, with the Blues more than comfortable amid Newcastle\u2019s labored and too often muddled approach.<\/p>\n
The hosts had the opportunity to coast through a meandering second half and seized it with relish.<\/p>\n
Joe Willock tested Kepa with a flicked header from Ryan Fraser\u2019s cross, but the Spaniard was easily equal to the task.<\/p>\n