Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory against the relegation-threatened Newcastle side, who never looked like troubling the Blues defence.
The head coach shuffled his pack again, returning Timo Werner and Mason Mount to the starting line-up, while Tammy Abraham kept his place despite having to come off in the 19th minute with an injury.
Goals from Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner sealed three points for the Blues, who are back into the top four for the first time since December 13th.
Here’s how each player performed:
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The shock inclusion in the starting line-up can be happy with his clean sheet, despite remaining relatively unthreatened throughout. When called into action, he saved well from Joe Willock’s header – parrying away at his left post. It will be interesting to see if he retains his place on Saturday and stakes a real challenge to earn his number one spot back. Rating – 7/10
Cesar Azpilicueta
The ever-reliable Spaniard, like our whole backline tonight, remained untroubled. Azpilicueta joined the attacks to offer his trademark cross from deep and linked up well with Hudson-Odoi, playing the ball into space for him to latch onto. It seems his starting position is well and truly reclaimed. Rating – 6.5/10
Andreas Christensen
He continued his ascension to the first team in Thiago Silva’s absence and it remains to be seen if this will remain so when the veteran returns but, thus far, the Dane has given Tuchel no reason to drop him. A quiet night for him overall but a solid one nonetheless. Rating 6.5/10
Antonio Rudiger
Much like the other two defenders in the back three, Rudiger enjoyed a relaxed night when it came to his defensive duties. It seems his spot in the starting XI, like Azpilicueta’s, is nailed on after the German has come through seemingly unscathed following his own-goal in Chelsea’s last league outing at Sheffield United last Sunday. Rating 6.5/10
Marcos Alonso
Offered a threatening out-ball throughout the match, often pinning Miguel Almiron back far deeper than the Newcastle United winger on the night would feel comfortable in. Alonso has been a key beneficiary since Frank Lampard’s departure and continues to prove why he should be first choice in the left wing-back role, threatening as an auxiliary threat in Chelsea’s attacking armoury. Rating 6.5/10
Mateo Kovacic
Talking of improvements under Tuchel, the Croatian has been arguably Chelsea’s best central midfielder in the last few weeks. His relentless running and resistance to pressure has made him pivotal to the side and it’s clear his new boss is a fan. At the moment, it appears he is one of the first names on the team-sheet and with the standard of his performances it is hard to argue against this. Rating 8/10
Jorginho
The midfield conductor had an efficient, but quiet, night in the centre of the park. As ever, he kept possession ticking over without setting the world alight and proved to be a fairly solid selection. He will benefit from games like Monday’s where the opposition sit back and allow him to shift the ball quickly from side-to-side, and remains an effective option for this. Rating – 6/10
Callum Hudson-Odoi
The converted wing-back seems to look more confident every game, flourishing under his new boss’ trust in him. Tuchel seems to have found a way to make his dribbling more effective as CHO’s runs start deeper, meaning he can attack his marker with space. His driven crosses continue to create chances; it’s an exciting time to watch his development. Rating 6.5/10
Mason Mount
Had a quiet night by his standards, such is the high regard he is now held in. As busy as ever in the middle of the park, Mount was energetic and constantly looking to drive the side forward before being substituted on the 70-minute mark. A well-earned, and rare, break for the young midfielder. Rating – 6/10
Tammy Abraham
Chelsea’s number nine can count himself really unfortunate tonight, having seen his evening end prematurely 20 minutes in. He arguably could’ve earned a penalty for the Blues, as Jamal Lascelles injured him in the process of sliding to dispossess the striker, but VAR didn’t intervene. In a kick to the teeth his replacement, Olivier Giroud, scored just eleven minutes after coming on and has now put his name forward for starting the trip to Southampton on Saturday. Rating – N/A
★Timo Werner
The German continued his rise in form with a starring role in both goals. His speed proving too much on the Newcastle right-side, driving at the defence and firing a low cross in, forcing Karl Darlow to parry into the path of Olivier Giroud who smashed home. Minutes later there were smiles all-round as Werner found himself free at the back post to tap in and end his 14-game Premier League goal drought. All Chelsea fans will now be hoping this is a sign of things to come from their new striker. 8/10
Substitutes – Olivier Giroud 7/10, N’Golo Kante 6/10, Reece James N/A
It was an efficient performance from the Blues in a fixture which had the potential to throw up a hiccup as the visitors looked to get daylight between them and the bottom three.
Chelsea’s focus now switches towards a trip to the south coast on Saturday in a bid to take advantage of a free-falling Southampton side.