Chelsea secured three wins on the bounce under Maurizio Sarri as late goals from Marcos Alonso and Eden Hazard were enough to see off Newcastle United.
The Blues dominated proceedings from the first whistle but the Magpies held on to keep the scores level at half-time.
The second half saw Newcastle turn up the heat with a number of robust challenges but the breakthrough came in the 75th minute as Marcos Alonso was bundled in the box.
Eden Hazard stepped up to smash home the penalty but Newcastle levelled in controversial circumstances.
Olivier Giroud was hit in the face in the build-up to Joselu’s but the referee let it stand. Nevertheless, it was the Frenchman that kept the ball alive as he headed to Alonso.
The Spaniard shot across the box and it took a deflection off DeAndre Yedlin and slotted sweetly into the net. We held on for the remaining minutes, keeping pace with the likes of Liverpool and Watford with maximum points from three games.
This was a tough match for us, even though our possession touched the 80% mark in the second half. However, Hazard was in great touch today.
The Belgian opened his account for the season via the penalty and here are some of the best reactions from our fans.
MAURIZIO SARRI 💙💙🔥🔥
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) August 26, 2018
And a win at St James’ Park finally!
— TweetChelseaUK (@TweetChelseaUK) August 26, 2018
Hazard and Kovacic looked really good. Morata has improved a lot from last season. After a laboured 70 minutes Alonso won a penalty that Hazard converted and then scored the winner.
Is there anything this Spaniard can’t do?
— Mad About Chelsea (@MadAboutChelsea) August 26, 2018
Announce title!
— pasquale (@pasqualecaso92) August 26, 2018
— Sunny Sharma (@SunnyChelsea14) August 26, 2018
WE ARE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE
— 🅰️Ⓜ️2️⃣9️⃣ (@MorataReloaded) August 26, 2018
Hazard for president!!! Forever blue
— D’ Sophie (@dianasofia88) August 26, 2018
Haza10 legend.#6Years of action in a blues jersey
— Tyiger Cruz (@tyiger_cruz) August 26, 2018
81% possession
15 shots
913 passes
91.8% completeSarri is here!
— Mohammed (@iamblue224) August 26, 2018
It’s August 2018 and there’s still people that think neymar is better than hazard 😭👋🏻
— ً (@KieranCFC67) August 26, 2018
Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s third highest goalscorer in premier league history (70). Behind only Lampard and Drogba.
People still don’t classify him as a legend, the insult.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) August 26, 2018
Eden Hazard in 133 minutes in Premier League:
1 Goal
2 Assists🎩🔥💙#CFC #NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/pgITtSLHeZ
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) August 26, 2018
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