Jackson and Palmer on target again as Chelsea beat Newcastle

Cole Palmer scored the winner early in the second half as a slick Chelsea side extended Newcastle’s winless run in the Premier League to five matches in a frantic 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The England midfielder produced a fine low finish on 47 minutes after Alexander Isak struck from close range on 32 minutes to cancel out Nicolas Jackson’s composed 18th minute opener on the counter-attack for Chelsea.

The inspired Palmer also had a goal ruled out inside the opening five minutes for offside by VAR, but it mattered little in the end for Enzo Maresca’s men, who moved above Arsenal into fourth on goal difference before their London rivals hosted Liverpool later on Sunday at the Emirates.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle remain 12th and could have few complaints about the result as they remain without a win in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge since May 2012.

Enzo Maresca had called for Reece James to provide better leadership skills as Chelsea captain.

It is fair to say the defender did not disappoint with a number of crucial interventions to ensure his side did not spill any points before the home fans. He cleared off his line in the second half, making a timely block from an Isak header and also nodded over in the dying seconds with Newcastle chasing an unlikely equaliser.

Produced one of the passes of the season to enable Pedro Neto to play provider for Jackson’s delightful sweeping opener before settling the match with a fine finish of his own, his seventh goal of the season. Looks to be growing in confidence and maturity with every passing week.

Chelsea: Sanchez 6, James 8, Fofana 7, Colwill 7, Gusto 7, Lavia 7, Caicedo 6, Madueke 6, Palmer 8, Neto 7, Jackson 7. Subs: Cucurella 6, Fernandez 6, Mudryk 6, Nkunku 6.

Newcastle: Pope 8, Livramento 6, Schar 6, Burn 6, Hall 6, Tonali 6, Guimaraes 6, Joelinton 6, Almiron 6, Isak 6, Barnes 6. Subs: Osula 6, Murphy 6, Kelly 6, Willock 6, Longstaff 6.

4′ CHELSEA GOAL DISALLOWED! Brilliant start to the day for the home side as Jackson slides the pass through to Cole Palmer, and he races onto the ball before knocking beyond Pope. The finish nestles low in the corner of the net… but is he offside? Yes. VAR deems him just offside.

18′ GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 NEWCASTLE (JACKSON): Stunning goal from Chelsea as they grab a merited lead. Palmer with a wonderful pass for Pedro Neto to race onto. He crosses for Jackson to tuck the finish into the net. His sixth goal in eight games, and the home side lead 1-0. Brilliant counter attack.

32′ GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 NEWCASTLE (ISAK): Cometh the half hour, cometh Newcastle’s main man. Barnes with the pass to Hall and the cross is tucked into the net by Isak from close range. Couldn’t miss really.

47′ GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 NEWCASTLE (PALMER): Such a poor goal for the visitors to lose as Palmer earns some space in the visiting box to hammer the finish low and hard beyond Pope. Chelsea back in the box seat.