Chelsea 3-2 Newcastle: Cole Palmer and Mykhaylo Mudryk in the goals as Mauricio Pochettino’s side land vital win

Cole Palmer provided the magic with a goal and an assist as Chelsea gave their European hopes a boost with a 3-2 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old underlined his importance to the Blues once more as Mauricio Pochettino’s side closed the gap to the top seven with a much-needed win.

Chelsea had Nicolas Jackson on the scoresheet as early as the sixth minute, when, instinctively, he stuck out a foot and his deft flick turned in Palmer’s shot from the edge of the box following a poor clearance by Sven Botman.

Eddie Howe’s side lost Anthony Gordon to injury with 10 minutes of the first period remaining, but they ended the half on a high when Alexander Isak curled in a beautiful effort into the bottom corner.

As so often has been the case this season, though, Palmer took the game by the scruff of the neck to deliver his 11th goal of the season with a beauty from around 20 yards, and substitute Mykhaylo Mudryk wrapped up the scoring with a superb solo goal.

Jacob Murphy lashed home a venomous shot to set up a nervy finale in west London, but Chelsea held on for a victory that sees them move to within a point of 10th-placed Newcastle and four adrift of the top seven.

It has, largely, been a season to forget for Chelsea so far – but the outstanding performances of Cole Palmer have helped to give the Stamford Bridge faithful something to smile about.

With poor results and stuttering form putting Mauricio Pochettino under pressure, the former Manchester City forward continues to rise above the noise and has put himself into serious contention to make the plane to Germany for Euro 2024.

Watching from the stands here, England boss Gareth Southgate was certainly given a lot to think about, as Palmer turned on the style with an assist and another memorable goal.

Never afraid to get on the ball when things aren’t going Chelsea’s way, Palmer lit up Stamford Bridge when he dropped into a pocket of space and rifled in a sensational effort that left Martin Dubravka with no chance.

Chelsea: Petrovic 6, Cucurella 6, Chalobah 6, Disasi 6, Fernandez 6, Caicedo 7, Gallagher 7, Gusto 6, Sterling 6, Jackson 7, Palmer 9*.

Subs: Mudryk 7, Chukwuemeka N/A, Casadei N/A.

Newcastle: Dubravka 6, Livramento 6, Schar 5, Botman 5, Burn 5, Longstaff 5, Guimaraes 6, Willock 5, Almiron 6, Isak 7, Gordon 5.

Subs: Murphy 7, Anderson 5, Miley N/A, White N/A

6’ – GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 CHELSEA (NICOLAS JACKSON): Lift off at Stamford Bridge! Palmer pounces on a poor clearance from Botman and his shot somehow sneaks into the bottom corner! Did it take a deflection? Replays show Jackson made connection with a clever little flick, and it’ll go down as his goal!

43 – GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 NEWCASTLE (ALEXANDER ISAK): A moment of quality from Isak draws Newcastle level! The striker is given too much space on the edge of the penalty area, but he still has lots to do as he curls a beautiful effort into the bottom corner, leaving Petrovic no chance.

57′ – GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 NEWCASTLE (COLE PALMER): That is a beauty from Palmer! The Chelsea forward drops into a pocket of space, takes a touch and unleashes a shot through the legs of Botman, finding the bottom right corner.

76′ – GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 NEWCASTLE (MYKHAYLO MUDRYK): That’s what he’s capable of – what a sensational finish by Mudryk! Gallagher latches onto Jackson’s pass, but Mudryk is directly behind him and steals in front of his team-mate, skips past Schar’s challenge and has the confidence to round Dubravka before slotting the ball into the net.

90′ – GOAL! CHELSEA 3-2 NEWCASTLE (JACOB MURPHY): On a night of beautiful goals, Murphy continues the trend as he smashes a venomous shot into the roof of the night from a tight angle! Game on?