Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea: Player Ratings as Blues Ease Past Lacklustre Magpies

Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

The pattern of the game was set early on with Newcastle camped in their own half, and it didn't take long for the visitors to make the breakthrough. A neatly worked Chelsea corner resulted in a devilish ball whipped across the goalmouth by Mason Mount, with Federico Fernandez inadvertently diverting the ball past Karl Darlow.

Newcastle started brightly after the interval yet both Joelinton and Isaac Hayden were unable to test
Edouard Mendy with their respective efforts, and they were made to pay midway through the second half.

Having spurned a number of opportunities, Timo Werner produced a sublime run to cut through the Magpies defence before sliding a perfectly weighted through ball to Tammy Abraham who applied the finish.

That's the match highlights out of the way, now let's get stuck into our Newcastle and Chelsea player ratings.

NEWCASTLE

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Karl Darlow (GK) - 7/10 - Increased his lead as the Premier League's leading shot stopper this season. Made a few brilliant saves early on but could do little about both Chelsea goals.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - 5/10 - First Premier League game of the season and at times it showed. Slightly off the pace though continued to battle with Abraham to his credit.

Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - 6/10 - Made a couple of superb interceptions as the waves of Chelsea attacks continued to flow. Picked up an early injury but carried on before being forced to withdraw at half-time.

Federico Fernandez (CB) - 4/10 - Could have quite easily had the Benny Hill theme playing in the background as he attempted to clear Mount's cross and ended up spooning the ball into his own goal.

2. Midfielders & Wingbacks

Javier Manquillo (RWB) - 5/10 - The term 'wing-back' is used very loosely in Steve Bruce teams when playing at home to a top-six side. Rarely ventured into the Chelsea half and struggled to cope with Werner at times.

Isaac Hayden (CM) - 5/10 - Picked up a harsh first half yellow card for what looked like a well-timed challenge. Should have done a lot better with a close-range effort in the second half despite being being adjudged to have handled in the buildup.

Sean Longstaff (CM) - 4/10 - Struggled to get a grip on the game as Newcastle bypassed the midfield and looked to utilise Joelinton. Not the type of system that's going to bring out the best in him, though he did rattle the crossbar with a fantastic effort in the second half.

Jamal Lewis (LWB) - 5/10 - After a tricky start the former Norwich man did well to get to grips with Ziyech. Afforded very few opportunities to surge forward and couldn't find any sort of quality when he did find himself in the Chelsea half.

3. Forwards

Jacob Murphy (RW) - 5/10 - Showed plenty of endeavour and industry but a performance bereft of any quality. Well marshalled by a strong Chelsea backline.

Joelinton (ST) - 5/10 - Deputised for the injured Callum Wilson and found himself totally isolated. On the one occasion he did manoeuvre himself a yard of space he failed to find the target.

Allan Saint-Maximin (LW) - 6/10 - The only Magpies player who looked like threatening. Looked electric on the ball but chances to run at the Chelsea backline were few and far between.

4. Substitutes

Fabian Schar (CB) - 5/10

Miguel Almiron (RW) - 6/10

Andy Carroll (ST) - 5/10

CHELSEA

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Edouard Mendy (GK) - 7/10 - Did a fantastic job of sweeping up any danger behind the Chelsea backline. Given very little to do by the Newcastle forwards but his all-round game was good.

Reece James (RB) - 7/10 - Utilised his pace and strength to good effect when tasked with shackling the live wire Saint-Maximin. Produced a couple of quality deliveries when given time and space in the Newcastle half.

Antonio Rudiger (CB) - 7/10 - Given little to do but looked solid whenever he was called upon. A timely reminder to Frank Lampard that he still has a big role to play at the club.

Kurt Zouma (CB) - 6/10 - Not afraid to step into midfield when in possession as the home side continued to sit back. Another decent display, especially considering the absence of Thiago Silva.

Ben Chilwell (LB) - 7/10 - Applied good pressure to Fernandez at the back post as the Newcastle man bumbled the ball into his own net. A constant outlet down the Chelsea left.

6. Midfielders

Mateo Kovacic (CM) - 6/10 - A steady performance if not spectacular. Neat and tidy in possession and not afraid to stick his boot in.

N'Golo Kante (CM) - 8/10 - An absolutely superb display in front of the Chelsea back four. Looked back to the Kante of old, shielding the Blues' occasionally fragile defence and keeping things ticking over in midfield.

Mason Mount (CM) - 7/10 - Fantastic ball in for the Chelsea opener which had Fernandez tripping over himself. Kept himself busy all game and showed some quality touches in possession. A level above the Newcastle midfield.

7. Forwards

Hakim Ziyech (RW) - 5/10 - Started brightly but after a promising opening 15 minutes he struggled to affect the game. A couple of uncharacteristically overhit crosses on a testing afternoon.

Tammy Abraham (ST) - 6/10 - Relatively well shackled by the Newcastle defence but continued to plug away and was eventually given his reward. A cool finish to slot past the impressive Darlow.

Timo Werner (LW) - 6/10 - Inexplicably missed the target from close range in the first half when it looked easier to score than miss. Produced a jet-heeled run to carve through the Newcastle team before laying it on a plate for Abraham, but not his finest 90 minutes. Still, we can't give him less than a six after that assist.

8. Substitutes

Callum Hudson-Odoi (LW) - 5/10

Emerson (LB) - 6/10

Olivier Giroud (ST) - N/A