Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday provided a much-needed respite for manager Mauricio Pochettino, who had faced mounting pressure from fans. The win propelled the Blues back into contention for European football next season.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring for Chelsea within six minutes, flicking in Cole Palmer’s shot. However, Newcastle fought back and equalized through Alexander Isak’s low finish just before halftime.
Palmer restored Chelsea’s lead in the second half with a powerful effort, while Mykhailo Mudryk, who has struggled since joining the club, added a third goal with a blistering run and finish. Jacob Murphy’s late strike set up a nervy finish, but Chelsea held on for the victory.
The win moves Chelsea up to 11th in the Premier League table, just four points behind West Ham in seventh, which would secure a place in the Europa Conference League. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in 10th place, one point ahead of Chelsea.
Pochettino’s position had come under scrutiny after a difficult first season in charge, including a League Cup final defeat to Liverpool. However, the win over Newcastle provided some promising signs, with several of his young recruits showing glimpses of their potential.
Jackson has now scored 12 goals in his debut season, while Palmer has contributed 11 Premier League goals. Mudryk, despite his struggles, showed his quality with a decisive goal.
The pressure remains on Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose team has failed to build on last season’s fourth-place finish. The Magpies have now lost 12 games this season, leaving them just one point above Chelsea in the table.
