Cole Palmer shone again, producing “one of the best passes in Premier League history” to help Chelsea beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea thought they had taken an early lead when Nicholas Jackson teed up Palmer, but despite the England striker coolly slotting past Nick Pope, his shot was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the most serious of offside calls against the striker. , who had strayed beyond Fabian Schar.
That home disappointment was short-lived, however, as the Blues soon took a deserved lead after what Jamie Carragher called “one of the best passes I’ve ever seen in the Premier League” when Palmer’s fierce ball released Pedro Neto in space. left
The Portuguese forward, starting in place of Chelsea’s left-back Jadon Sancho, did well to first parry Schar’s shot on the touchline before netting the unmarked Jackson’s 10th goal in his last 14 appearances for the Blues.
“Chelsea” player Nicholas Jackson celebrates scoring a goal against “Newcastle”.
The visitors, who thought they should have awarded a penalty when captain Bruno Guimaraes appeared to be brought down by Levi Colville, leveled just on the half-hour mark after a well-worked team goal, albeit after another tough offside challenge.
However, Alexander Isak managed to stay clear of Lewis Hall’s through ball as the Magpies scored for the first time in three league games and went in full steam ahead at the break.
But Newcastle, without the injured Anthony Gordon, were not level for long as the hosts pulled one back after just 75 seconds after losing the ball in the half, allowing Romeo Lavia to feed Palmer, who then beat Nick Pope at his near post. For his 17th Premier League goal at Stamford Bridge in 2024, the most of any player at the stadium in a calendar year.
There was late drama for both teams as Isak first saw his close-range header cleared off the line by Rhys James before somehow failing to score after rounding Robert Sanchez but then losing the ball into an empty net.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
And then Chelsea were awarded an injury-time penalty that was overturned by VAR, who deemed Dan Burn’s pull on Christopher Nkunku insufficient for a spot-kick.
As a result, Enzo Maresca sees his young team. The Italian has fielded the youngest XI in Premier League history this season, rising to fourth in the table ahead of Sunday afternoon’s rematch, while Newcastle are 12th without a fifth league game. Victory for the first time since March 2023.
