Newcastle United player ratings gallery: ‘Excellent’ 9/10 and four 8/10s in massive Chelsea win
Newcastle United player ratings from the 1-0 victory over Chelsea at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United earned a massive three points against Chelsea to ensure they remain third in the Premier League table heading into the World Cup. Joe Willock scored the only goal of the game midway through the second-half.
Callum Wilson, after suffering from illness this week, was named on the bench as Howe called two changes from the 4-1 win at Southampton. Chris Wood started ahead of Wilson, while Joelinton replaces Jacob Murphy on the left wing.
It was a fairly uneventful first half until Newcastle had a penalty appeal waved away in stoppage time. Trevoh Chalobah blocked Dan Burn’s low cross with an outstretched arm but neither referee Robert Jones or VAR were moved.
Newcastle broke the deadlock on 67 minutes when Miguel Almiron latched onto Joelinton’s pass to cut inside of Kalidou Koulibaly before Willock unleashed a superb strike past Edouard Mendy. Here’s our player ratings from the 1-0 win over Chelsea:
1. Nick Pope - 8
At full stretch to deny Gallagher on 66 minutes. Outstanding save and a key one, as United took the lead a few minutes later. Kept his seventh clean sheet of the season.
2. Kieran Trippier - 8
Instrumental as ever down the right hand side. Created some of Newcastle’s best chances and defended superbly.
3. Fabian Schar - 7
Recovered from an early knock to the head. Read the game well with a number of vital interceptions.
4. Sven Botman - 8
Produced a goal-saving header at the backpost to prevent Broja from scoring in the first-half. Overall, a performance to show he was unfortunate to miss out on the Dutch World Cup squad.