Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle: The one where Marcos Alonso trolled Newcastle

'You're just a sad Mackem bastard'

Sunderland legend Marcos Alonso the difference in Chelsea’s win against Newcastle on Saturday. Satisfying on so many levels. Five wins from five across all competitions and fourth in the Premier League on goal difference — just two points off of champions Manchester City. Too soon to get excited about where the team could finish this season?

There were huge questions marks looming over the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash. The most recent international break saw FOUR Chelsea stars aggravate pre-existing injuries or come off with new ones. The most worrying was N’Golo Kante who has not been able to regain any sort of fitness this season - thanks in part to Didier Deschamps.

Newcastle v Chelsea: The One where Chelsea won at St James Park

St James’ Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea. In large part due to Jose Mourinho’s shocking record there, but managers that followed in his footsteps seemed to carry on that tradition. But Maurizio Sarri is not a man to follow convention or tradition. Chelsea only did a win at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon - their first there in SEVEN years.

Chelsea vs Newcastle: The one that made a case for playing Batman

Who's lives in a pineapple under the sea...

After Chelsea took 210 actual minutes to earn themselves a penalty shootout against Championship mid-table stalwarts Norwich City in the Energy Drink Cup, it was really anyone’s guess how they would fare against a Premier League side in the better domestic cup competition. Even if that Premier League side was Newcastle. 

After watching Tottenham struggle against Newport County and Liverpool exit at the hands of Alan Pardew’s side, it was up to Chelsea to keep the FA Cup fun going (not for you neutrals. For me, you heathens). They have very much been their own worst enemy this season. But there was reason to be positive before the game.