Eden Hazard struck twice as Chelsea came from behind to beat Newcastle on Rafael Benitez’s return to Stamford Bridge and maintain their impressive recent form.
Antonio Conte’s reigning champions have now won six of their previous seven Premier League games and this 3-1 victory sees them close within eight points of leaders Manchester City.
Dwight Gayle came into the Newcastle side in place of the misfiring Joselu and he earned a shock lead for the visitors, who have now taken just one point from their last six games.
What they said
???? RAFA’S REVIEW: See what the manager had to say after today’s defeat at @ChelseaFC.
Full interview: https://t.co/JunTFsCguZ #NUFC pic.twitter.com/i5rRoM9n1Q
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 2, 2017
Tweet of the match
Good comeback ???????? #halftime #CHENEW @ChelseaFC
— Michael Ballack (@Ballack) December 2, 2017
Michael Ballack certainly enjoyed watching his former club come from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1.
Star man – Eden Hazard
As cool as you like from @hazardeden10… ???? #CHENEW pic.twitter.com/mQpYq69WWs
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 2, 2017
The Belgium star could have had a hat-trick but had to settle for two, the second of which came from the spot with a cheeky chip down the middle. Hazard had nine shots, six of which were on target – the most in the Premier League by a player this season.
Ref watch
Eden Hazard calmly chips the penalty in. Moses, chasing a Fabregas pass, was felled by Ritchie for the spot-kick to be awarded. There are 74 minutes played. #CHENEW
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 2, 2017
Kevin Friend had a straightforward game and he got the penalty spot on after Ritchie brought down Moses, which gave Hazard the chance to take the game beyond Newcastle.
Data point
9️⃣ headed goals in the #PL this season for @ChelseaFC ????#CHENEW pic.twitter.com/O8pk8Q3LWB
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 2, 2017
Morata’s goal from Moses’ cross was the ninth headed goal Chelsea have scored in the Premier League this season.
Player ratings
Hard work as always but we absolutely deserved the win. ???????? A good afternoon for us ⚽???????? #Hustle #AlwaysBelieve #CHENEW pic.twitter.com/TL0xW2XJut
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) December 2, 2017
Who’s up next?
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid (Champions League, Tuesday December 5)
Newcastle v Leicester (Premier League, Saturday December 9)
