Chelsea are moving in the right direction, admits Lampard
CHELSEA 1
Alonso (73)
NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
Chelsea climbed into the top four after beating Newcastle United and Frank Lampard challenged them to stay there.
Marcos Alonso’s goal 17 minutes from the end secured the win and moved the Blues into the Champions League spots for the first time this season.
“It sounds good,” said Lampard. “We know we want to be challenging in the top four and, from a slightly difficult start, it’s a good sign that we are moving in the right direction. But our arrival in the top four must give us the hunger to stay there.”
Back-to-back clean sheets at home in the Premier League will also have pleased manager Lampard as his young side continue to grow in confidence.
Not that Newcastle offered much of a threat, at least until the final few minutes with substitute Andy Carroll throwing himself around.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, fresh from his starring role for England Under-21s in the 5-1 win over Austria, was impressive again for Chelsea.
Chelsea had struggled to break down a stubborn Newcastle side until the introduction of Christian Pulisic as a substitute.
The £58-million United States winger missed a sitter when he fired straight at Martin Dubravka from six yards, but a few minutes later he played a central role in the goal.
Pulisic burst forward into the penalty area and pulled the ball back for Hudson-Odoi, who touched it on for Alonso to drill home. “I’m really pleased for him,” added Lampard. “He’s a bit of a hot topic because of
his price tag and international status, but he’s just turned 21. There’s a lot more to come.
“In the first half we were a bit safe, and a bit slow, we didn’t have enough urgency. That was the message at half-time and, in the second half, we should have had more goals and made the win more comfortable.
“Particularly in the second half we saw the spirit and energy. We have to go back to basics. Today was tough, we had a problem in the game, but we solved it in the second half.
“The players need to be brave and it’s a great sign in the squad when players come on and make a difference.”
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce felt there was a foul in the build-up to the goal. “I know it’s a difficult job, but there was foul on Joelinton, in front of us, and we never retained the ball after that,” he said.
“When you come here you need those sorts of decisions to go your way and not against you
“Up until then we gave as good as we got, but the most important thing for us to work on is at the top end of the pitch.
“We’ve had a really tough start but now we have a run of games against teams in and around us, so it’s a vitally important time.”
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley limped off before halftime after turning an ankle and he will be assessed on this afternoon.”