Thomas Tuchel also insisted that he has his eyes on securing a top four spot, but he admitted it will be a “big challenge”.
Chelsea were the better side throughout the game and Timo Werner was more often than not the driving force for his side.
The German let a couple of chances pass him by in the first half, but he was the creator for his side’s first goal. He advanced down the left flank before delivering a teasing ball into the area.
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His cross was parried away by Karl Darlow but it went straight to Olivier Giroud who made no mistake as he calmly tapped home from close range.
Werner got the goal that he deserved in the 38th-minute. Mason Mount’s corner caused havoc as Newcastle could not clear.
The ball went through to the back post towards the forward and he swept it into the net for his first league goal since November.
Newcastle failed to register a shot on target in the first half. They did create one or two chances in the second half, but Chelsea still ran out comfortable winners.
This victory is their fifth in a row under Tuchel. His is yet to lose since taking over and they have only conceded once in their last six games in all competitions.
Chelsea have leapfrogged West Ham and Liverpool to go fourth in the Premier League. They are now just four points behind Man United and Leicester who sit joint-second.
Speaking with Sky Sports post-match, as cited by BBC Sport, Tuchel confirmed that Edouard Mendy is still Chelsea’s number one:
“I liked the first half where we played with courage and had a lot of touches in the box and lots of shots, 12 to three and kept them away from our box and did not allow any chances.
“During the whole match we lacked precision in the last box and the decision making can be more deadly, precise and decisive to create more from our half chances.
“We gave away two shots in the first two minutes of the second half, we lost duels and the decision making was like we had something to lose. The guys had two days off and maybe they wanted to keep this, I spoke too early at half time about this!
“The first decision, we arrived on Tuesday and had to play on Wednesday so we had to play a double six and the experienced guys on the pitch with those with a clear picture of Chelsea from the previous season. If we do change systems, I think we can and we have to be flexible if we need to.
Tuchel on Kepa Arrizabalaga: “Edouard is the number one and that is clear, it stays like this, I am very happy Kepa continued with a second clean sheet and it was the right moment to let him feel the rhythm and build his confidence. We hoped for the very best performance and Edu will be in from now on because he is the number one.
“I am convinced Timo was decisive with an assist and goal, I am very happy with that and he was working hard in the last few matches. He can play as a double striker, as a number nine if he is clever enough to use his speed and runs but his favourite position is if he can move out to the left.
“Top four is the target and stays the target, there are many team behind us chasing. We had many points to recover and it stays a big challenge because many games are coming. We are going to play teams from the top and bottom, every game is difficult and we will keep fighting.”
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