Chelsea increase gap over Arsenal with slim win against Newcastle

Re-live the action from Stamford Bridge

Sarri bemoans VAR after Spurs' win over Chelsea

Willian's sublime strike earned Chelsea a 2-1 victory over spirited Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro's ninth-minute lob saw the Magpies trailing, but Ciaran Clark headed in a deserved equaliser before half-time.

The Blues had plenty of chances, but only prevailed when Willian curled in a decisive second, following another assist by Eden Hazard, who was again deployed as Chelsea's 'false nine'.

Goalscoring remains an issue for Chelsea, who faced the prospect of a third top-flight home game without scoring for the first time since November 1993, but finished the day with a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal.

Re-live the action in the blog below:

Key Points

• Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Hazard, Willian.

• Newcastle: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lejeune, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie, Perez, Longstaff, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon

[12 January 2019 16:28 · Jack de Menezes]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's evening Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United, brought to you from Stamford Bridge.

[12 January 2019 16:30 · Jack de Menezes]

Team news incoming...

[12 January 2019 16:31 · Jack de Menezes]

TEAM NEWS

[12 January 2019 17:26 · Michael Jones]

A win for Chelsea(4th) today would put some breathing space between them and Arsenal in 5th. 

As for Newcastle, the earlier results saw them drop into the relegation but they would move out of it again if they can avoid a defeat. 

[12 January 2019 17:31 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle

Chelsea start the match, kick the ball long and give it away to Newcastle. Lejeune catches Willian on the ankle and the Chelsea man goes down. IT was only a touch though and he's not hurt. 

[12 January 2019 17:33 · Michael Jones]

3 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle

Jorginho tries to put Hazard in behind the defence with a short ball over the top but Hazard mis-times his run and he doesn't get there. 

[12 January 2019 17:38 · Michael Jones]

6 mins: Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle

The game has started off at an easy pace both sides working each other out. Atsu presses high up the pitch and puts pressure on Rudiger to clear the ball. 

[12 January 2019 17:38 · Michael Jones]

9 mins: Chelsea 1 - 0 Newcastle - Pedro

David Luiz puts a long ball into the box. It's a perfect pass for Pedro, who collects the ball and chips it over Dubravka to give Chelsea the lead. 

[12 January 2019 17:43 · Michael Jones]

12 mins: Chelsea 1 - 0 Newcastle

Chelsea put a few passes together on the edge of Newcastle's area, they look extremely comfortable on the ball, Jorginho tries to send Hazard into the box again but Dubravka collects. 

[12 January 2019 17:46 · Michael Jones]

15 mins: Chelsea 1 - 0 Newcastle

Yedlin makes a good run down the right but makes a poor pass to Perez as Alonso tracks back and makes the interception. Chelsea are going to dominate possession and Newcastle will have to make use of the counter attack.