HAV SOME OF THAT
Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0: Kai Havertz scores stunning late winner after controversially escaping red card for elbow
KAI HAVERTZ scored an 89th minute winner to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Newcastle in their first home match since Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen.
With the Blues adjusting to the strict rules set out by the government, the visitors frustrated them with their harrying tactics.
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But with the match seemingly heading for a draw, Jorginho found Havertz with a lofted pass, with the German taking an exquisite touch before firing past Martin Dubravka.
Havertz almost had a second in added time but Dubravka got a hand to his shot and the ball dropped onto the bar.
Speaking of his side's performance, boss Thomas Tuchel told BBC Radio: "It was necessary to stay patient and don't lose the passion and don't lose the spirit from the game.
"We kept on believing that we could have this one pass, this one run, this one finish that we finally had."
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The action on the pitch at Stamford Bridge was secondary to the turmoil triggered by last week's decision by the government to freeze Abramovich's assets.
The oligarch has been sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a result of his close ties to President Vladimir Putin over decades.
Chelsea's victory over Newcastle solidifies their place in third spot in the table with the club now winning their last five Premier League games.
Newcastle remain 14th - nine points clear of the relegation zone.
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The visitors, who had gone nine league games unbeaten, were denied a penalty in the second half when Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah appeared to tug the shirt of Jacob Murphy.
But referee David Coote ignored their claims, with VAR failing to instruct him to watch the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Newcastle fans goaded their hosts, singing "No noise for the bankrupt boys".
Chelsea fans speaking before the game said they believed the Abramovich era was over but they expressed hope that a new owner would be found soon.
And lifelong fan Nick Candy was in attendance to watch the clash as he once again expressed his interest in buying the club.
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