EPL: Chelsea beats Newcastle to take temporal top spot on the league table

Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League table, temporarily for the first time in over two years following a 2-0 win at Newcastle on Saturday.

Chelsea are top of the Premier League! 🔵🔝#NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/IMO00ypHP9

— Goal (@goal) November 21, 2020

Frank Lampard’s side moved above Leicester on goal difference thanks to Federico Fernandez’s first-half own goal and Tammy Abraham’s strike after the interval.

Ten minutes into the game, Mason Mount whipped in a low cross and Fernandez turned it into his own net under pressure from Chilwell at the far post to score the fifth Premier League own goal of his career. 

Correction: It's an own-goal that puts us 1-0 in front.

Fernandez, at the back post, turns into his own net from a corner!

⚫️ 0-1 🔵 [10’] #NEWCHE https://t.co/OR01uYmCw9

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 21, 2020

With Lampard’s men monopolising possession, Werner should have doubled their lead from Mount’s pass, but the German forward scuffed his shot wide from 10 yards.

So close to two! 😩@ReeceJames_24 delivers an inviting ball across the face of goal – @TimoWerner was just inches away from getting a touch on it! Unlucky.

⚫️ 0-1 🔵 [24’] #NEWCHE

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 21, 2020

Callum Wilson, who had scored six of Newcastle’s 10 league goals this season, was missing with a hamstring injury and the Magpies were toothless in attack without their top scorer.

Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 65th minute when Werner accelerated away from the Newcastle defence and slipped a pass to Abraham, who guided his shot past Darlow and in off the post.

Wow. @TimoWerner carries the ball forward with purpose and finds @TammyAbraham, who finishes in style! 👏

⚫️ 0-2 🔵 [65’] #NEWCHE https://t.co/4zCcCiBujl pic.twitter.com/H4PHGF9i5v

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 21, 2020

GOAL Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea (65 mins)

Timo Werner goes on an incredible break up the pitch then lays the ball off to Tammy Abraham who makes no mistake #NEWCHE

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 21, 2020

Abraham has now scored in three consecutive appearances in all competitions for the first time since September 2019.

Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff hit the bar from long-range, but Chelsea’s lead was never in jeopardy.

Chelsea are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and haven’t lost in their last six league matches.

Nine games unbeaten. 💪
Five wins in a row. 🙌#NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/axtMtAdZi3

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 21, 2020

With five clean sheets in their last six matches in all competitions, Chelsea’s third successive league victory was the perfect way to start a hectic period leading up to Christmas.