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Willian\u2019s sublime strike earned Chelsea a victory over spirited Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\nWillian\u2019s sublime strike earned Chelsea a victory over spirited Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Pedro\u2019s ninth-minute lob saw the Magpies trailing, but Ciaran Clark headed in a deserved equalizer before half-time.<\/p>\n
The Blues had plenty of chances, but only prevailed when Willian curled in a decisive second, following another assist by Eden Hazard, who was again deployed as Chelsea\u2019s \u2018false nine\u2019.<\/p>\n
Goalscoring remains an issue for Chelsea, who faced the prospect of a third top-flight home game without scoring for the first time since November 1993, but finished the day with a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Newcastle appeared to be the ideal opponents to end the lean streak, having won one of their past eight league games.<\/p>\n
Newcastle, watched by owner Mike Ashley for the first time since mid-November, were in the relegation zone by the 5.30pm kick-off.<\/p>\n
The line-ups illustrated the disparity in resources, but Maurizio Sarri\u2019s decision to stick with Hazard as his attacking focal point could have been interpreted as a message in his search for a new striker.<\/p>\n
Alvaro Morata was absent for a second successive game amid suggestions of a departure before the end of the January transfer window, while Olivier Giroud was on the bench alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 18-year-old winger has been linked with a big money move to Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
The strikerless Blues led when David Luiz\u2019s 50-yard pass found Pedro, whose run eluded Clark. The Spaniard lifted the ball over Martin Dubravka, with the goalkeeper in no man\u2019s land.<\/p>\n
The Magpies went close with the direct route. Salomon Rondon flicked on Dubravka\u2019s long kick for Ayoze Perez, who drilled a low shot just wide.<\/p>\n
Newcastle leveled after 40 minutes. Matt Ritchie\u2019s corner was met by Clark, who leaped above Luiz to direct a powerful header into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
Chelsea came close to restoring their advantage from the restart, but Willian passed wide following Jorginho\u2019s lofted through ball. He should have scored.<\/p>\n
Pedro spurned two straightforward chances early in the second half, before Hazard, who had been a peripheral figure, created Chelsea\u2019s second.<\/p>\n
The Belgian sucked in four defenders before feeding Willian, who checked inside from the left side of the area and curled the ball inside the far post.<\/p>\n
It was Willian\u2019s first Premier League goal since October and his third of the season, equaling defender Clark\u2019s tally.<\/p>\n
Only two players have scored 10 or more goals and provided 10 or more assists in Europe\u2019s top five leagues: Barcelona\u2019s Lionel Messi and Hazard.<\/p>\n
Hazard was crunched by challenges from Christian Atsu and Isaac Hayden before Chelsea went close again.<\/p>\n
Willian chased another long Luiz pass and lifted the ball over Dubravka. Jamaal Lascelles needlessly conceded a corner.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi was introduced for Pedro with 10 minutes remaining and soon after a chorus of \u201cwe want you to stay\u201d was heard.<\/p>\n