Timo Werner ended a 14-match goalless streak in the Premier League to help Chelsea to a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
Olivier Giroud was also among the goals as Chelsea leapfrogged Liverpool and West Ham to move into fourth position in the league.
Following the victory Werner spoke about his relief to finally get on the goal sheet again: “I think as a striker you always want to score and the last month I haven’t, so I wasn’t happy but in the end it is a team sport and when we win everything is good.
“Recently I have helped my team with assists and winning penalties and now with scoring goals so I’m very happy that I finally scored.
“It is always worse for a striker when you don’t get the chances to score and recently I have missed a lot of them, but the important thing for me is that my team create a lot of chances for me so if I keep going the goals will come like today proved.”
Chelsea were dominant from the very start as Cesar Azpilicueta had his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Dwight Gayle before Tammy Abraham ran through on goal but was denied by a last ditch challenge from Jamaal Lascelles.
Timo Werner then had a clear chance to give the Blues the lead stretching onto Marcos Alonso’s knockdown but his lunging effort went just wide of the post.
The German turned provider for the breakthrough goal as his low cross could only be palmed into the path of Olivier Giroud by Karl Darlow and the Frenchman fired into a vacant goal having replaced Tammy Abraham following an injury to the English striker.
Werner was again at the heart of the action and came close to the elusive goal after being played through by Mateo Kovacic but his first-time curling effort went narrowly over Darlow’s bar.
The German did eventually end a run of 100 days and 1001 minutes without a goal in the Premier League by stealing in at the back post from a corner to to guide the ball over the line and double Chelsea’s lead.
On the brink of half-time Mason Mount had a chance to extend the Blues’ lead further but dragged his left footed shot wide from inside the penalty box.
Following the break Chelsea controlled the game without creating too many chances.
The visitors almost stole one goal back with a rare foray forward as loanee Joe Willock rose highest in the box to head on target, but Kepa Arrizabalaga saved well after keeping his place in goal following a midweek clean sheet against Barnsley in the FA Cup.
The hosts’ best chance in the second-half came through substitute Reece James whose low drive caused Darlow trouble forcing the English keeper to kick wide after diving beyond the ball.
Miguel Almiron’s volley summed up the night for Newcastle as his shot went well clear of the goal as the Magpies’ mounted a laboured attempt to get back into the match late on.
The result sees Newcastle fall to 17th position and edge closer to the bottom three after Fulham’s victory over Everton closed the gap to just seven points having played a game less than the Magpies.
