NEW DELHI:
Chelsea
secured a vital 3-2 victory over
Newcastle
on Monday, lifting some of the scrutiny surrounding manager Mauricio Pochettino and reigniting their hopes for
European football
next season at
Stamford Bridge
.
Nicolas Jackson,
Cole Palmer
, and Mykhailo Mudryk found the net for the home side, propelling Chelsea closer to contention for European spots.
The win sees Chelsea remain in 11th place but narrows the gap to within four points of seventh-placed West Ham, ensuring a potential spot in the Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's 12th defeat of the season leaves them just one point above Chelsea in 10th, adding to the pressure on manager Eddie Howe as the club struggles to build on their fourth-place finish from last season.
Despite facing criticism from some of his own supporters, Pochettino witnessed promising performances from his team, including standout displays from some of his young talents. Jackson, in particular, showcased his prowess with his 12th goal of the season, cleverly converting Palmer's shot in the early stages of the match.
While Chelsea initially seized the lead, they allowed Newcastle to gain control for much of the first half, leading to Alexander Isak's equalizer just before halftime. However, Palmer's emphatic strike shortly before the hour mark restored Chelsea's lead, demonstrating his importance to the team.
Mudryk, often criticized for his inconsistency, made a significant impact as he swiftly scored after coming on as a substitute, showcasing his pace and agility to break through Newcastle's defense.
Despite a late resurgence from Newcastle, highlighted by Jacob Murphy's stunning goal, Chelsea held on for the win, securing a crucial three points in their pursuit of European football next season.
(With inputs from AFP)
English (US) ·