Chelsea vs Newcastle: Player Ratings, Palmer Impresses
The Blues secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer's stunning debut goal proving to be the difference. While the scoreline might suggest a comfortable win, the match was a tense affair, with both sides creating opportunities. Here's a look at the player ratings from a game that showcased the potential of the new Chelsea era under Mauricio Pochettino:
Chelsea Player Ratings:
Cole Palmer (9/10): The standout performer on the night, Palmer's introduction brought a fresh spark to Chelsea's attack. He showed composure and skill in setting up the goal and then capped off a sensational debut with a beautifully struck, long-range effort.
Mykhailo Mudryk (7.5/10): The Ukrainian winger was a constant threat down the left flank, causing Newcastle's defense all sorts of problems with his pace and dribbling ability. He was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet but showed his growing understanding of Pochettino's system.
Nicolas Jackson (7/10): The summer signing continues to impress with his work rate and ability to hold up the ball. While he wasn't able to find the back of the net this time, his presence and movement were key to Chelsea's attacking threat.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): The Argentine midfielder continues to be the heartbeat of Chelsea's midfield. He controlled the tempo of the game, distributing the ball effectively and making timely interceptions.
Wesley Fofana (6.5/10): Fofana's return from injury was a welcome sight, and he showcased his physical presence and defensive capabilities. He made important tackles and headed clearances, helping to solidify Chelsea's backline.
Ben Chilwell (6.5/10): The left-back provided a constant threat down the left flank, overlapping effectively and delivering dangerous crosses. He was also solid defensively, thwarting Newcastle's attacking forays.
Levi Colwill (6.5/10): The young defender continues to impress with his composure and ability to read the game. He formed a strong partnership with Fofana, making crucial tackles and clearances.
Malo Gusto (6/10): The young French full-back displayed his defensive prowess, keeping Newcastle's dangerous wingers quiet for the majority of the game. However, he lacked the attacking threat that Chilwell possesses.
Moises Caicedo (6/10): The summer signing made his Premier League debut and showed glimpses of his potential. He was strong in the tackle and won several battles in midfield, but he needs to adapt to the pace of the English game.
Conor Gallagher (6/10): Gallagher provided energy and intensity in midfield, winning tackles and covering ground effectively. He also offered a goal threat from range, but his finishing was off-target.
Robert Sánchez (6/10): The Spanish goalkeeper made a couple of vital saves to preserve Chelsea's lead. He displayed calmness and composure under pressure, despite a couple of shaky moments.
Newcastle Player Ratings:
Sandro Tonali (7/10): The Italian midfielder was Newcastle's most influential player, controlling the tempo of the game and dictating the pace of play from deep. He also showed his defensive capabilities, making crucial tackles and interceptions.
Callum Wilson (6.5/10): The striker was a constant threat in the final third, holding up the ball well and creating chances for his teammates. However, he lacked the clinical edge needed to find the back of the net.
Bruno Guimarães (6.5/10): The Brazilian midfielder was lively and energetic, but he couldn't quite break down Chelsea's resilient defense. He made some important tackles and interceptions but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
Elliot Anderson (6/10): The young midfielder showed glimpses of his potential, making some clever runs and causing Chelsea's defense some problems. However, he needs to improve his decision-making in the final third.
Allan Saint-Maximin (6/10): The winger was a threat with his pace and dribbling ability, but he wasn't able to create enough clear-cut chances to test Chelsea's goalkeeper. He lacked the final ball in key moments.
Sven Botman (6/10): The Dutch defender was solid at the back, making crucial tackles and clearances. He kept Chelsea's attackers at bay for the majority of the game, but he was vulnerable to Palmer's pace and skill.
Kieran Trippier (6/10): The right-back was solid defensively but didn't offer much going forward. He was kept relatively quiet by Chelsea's left flank, failing to provide the attacking threat that he's known for.
Matt Targett (6/10): The left-back was defensively solid but lacked the attacking threat that Chilwell displayed. He struggled to contain the threat posed by Mudryk, particularly in the first half.
Sean Longstaff (5.5/10): Longstaff worked hard in midfield, covering ground effectively and winning tackles. However, he lacked the creative spark to unlock Chelsea's defense.
Miguel Almirón (5.5/10): The winger was a threat with his pace and dribbling ability, but he was unable to create any clear-cut chances. He was also dispossessed on several occasions, leading to Chelsea counter-attacks.
Nick Pope (5/10): The Newcastle goalkeeper made some good saves but was ultimately unable to prevent Chelsea from scoring. He could have done better with Palmer's goal, failing to get a strong enough hand on the shot.
Conclusion:
Chelsea's victory against Newcastle was a sign of progress under Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues were solid defensively and looked dangerous on the attack, particularly after the introduction of Cole Palmer. While Newcastle had their moments, they lacked the cutting edge to trouble Chelsea's well-organized backline. Palmer's performance on his debut will be a key moment for Chelsea fans, suggesting a bright future ahead for the young winger.