Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle: The one that Timo Werner got back among the goals

Timo Werner scores his 10th goal of the season

100 days. 1000 minutes. And Timo Werner is back in the Premier League scoring saddle as it were. The startling numbers do make for a good bit of narrative, but like with most stats don't really give you the whole picture. In just about every match he has featured for Chelsea this season, the young German has proved he is more than just goals on the scoresheet. He is a force and it was great to see him rewarded for his efforts on Monday night. Hopefully now the never-ending questions about the drought can, you know, end. 

Hands up if you were feeling pessimistic and thought you 'knew what was coming'. All the results across the weekend fell very favourably for Chelsea. Newcastle haven't managed a win at Stamford Bridge in nearly nine years. Plus they would be without their loan goal scorer Callum Wilson. This had Monday night upset written all over it topped with a Joelinton masterclass.

Happy to have been proven very long. After goals from super-sub Olivier Giroud and the aforementioned Timo Werner, Chelsea found themselves back in a Champions League place at the end of play. It doesn't hurt that at some point this season, with the exception of juggernauts Man City, every team has gone through a period of absolutely bricking in and throwing up a number of mad results.

Thomas Tuchel continued his policy of mixing and matching the team to give everyone a chance. Which of course gave everyone the opportunity to lose their minds that Kepa had been handed a Premier League start. Just a reminder, once again, that he looked every bit a promising keeper when Maurizio Sarri was around and is not deserving the vile abuse he's been subjected to. Criticism is one thing, but he has comment turned off on tweets following a win because people take it too far. The young goalkeeper kept another clean sheet while making some decent saves along the way. 

My Valentine

Despite the chance and solid performance by Kepa, Tuchel said after the match that Edouard Mendy was 'obviously' still Chelsea's No.1. Not sure some of his performances of late have made it all that obvious. It was a strange comment to make after the match, but hopefully Kepa will get another run of matches to continue building his confidence back up. Rather than just the odd cup game here and there. As no matter what the decision on his future is, it's a positive. A confident keeper is great to play, but also restores his value should the club decide to sell.

Tammy Abraham retained his place in the starting XI but was forced off after just 20 minutes. Jamal Lascelles thought it only right that Olivier Giroud be the post-Valentine's Day forward and righted a wrong by clattering into Chelsea's young forward. Abraham did look like he was in a significant amount of pain at the time, hopefully it's nothing long-term and he'll be back clearing balls off the line in no time.

Abraham wasn't the only target of Newcastle's 'physicality'. Despite the drought, Timo Werner appeared to be public enemy number one as he was the target of a number of dodgy challenges. It was a plan that backfired. He may be soft spoken but Werner is as hard as nails and took the attention personally.

'Nobody makes me bleed my own blood'

Having been ordered off the pitch after Newcastle literally drew blood, Werner found himself in a prime position to pick up the ball just as he returned to the pitch, run 20 yards and fire through on goal. It ricocheted perfectly into an awaiting Giroud's path for the opening goal.

Not learning their lesson, Jamal Lewis and  Newcastle continued to target Werner's face which seemed to fuel his goal-scoring rage. Shortly before the break, Turbo Timo found the back of the net himself. And after a nervous wait on VAR, the goal stood. The drought was over. And all it took was a punch to the face.

The second half saw the balance shift, but allowed for Kepa to remind everyone that he is a goalkeeper and can make a decent saved when called into action. Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey both tested the Spaniard but couldn't find a way through. Chelsea's energy levels looked to drop off as Newcastle played themselves into the game.

Having dominated the opening 45 minutes, Chelsea found themselves hanging on to the three points. Not ideal but got there in the end. At the final whistle, Thomas Tuchel did what he could to get N'Golo Kante to react to the win, but to no avail. Attempt at bonding? Showing his appreciation? Or some low-key bullying of the shyest man on the planet? Will let you decide. If he didn't jump up and down after winning the World Cup, he's not going to do it after a routine win in the middle of the season at home to Newcastle.

Next up for the Blues is a struggling Southampton side. They have lost each of their last six Premier League games, winning just 1 of their last 11. It feels like a good time to play the Saints. But they will be desperate to get back to winning ways and Ralph Hasenhuttl is a savvy manager. Should be a good match for those of us waking up early enough to catch it on Saturday!

jb x

RESULT: Cheslea 2-0 Newcastle

GOALS: Giroud 31', Werner 39'

CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi (James 78), Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount (Kante 70), Werner, Abraham (Giroud 20)

STAR MAN: Timo Werner