Edouard Mendy
Chelsea's goalkeeper had very little to do in the opening period but did make one smart reaction stop to deny Miguel Almiron shortly before half time. Again, watched most of the second period but did have to save from Fabian Schar late on. 6
Trevoh Chalobah
With Reece James injured and Cesar Azpilicueta ill, Chalobah was drafted onto the right of the back four. Defensively and in possession, the academy graduate was solid.
Understandably, he didn't offer a great deal in the attacking third. Did well to keep Allan Saint-Maximin quiet after the Newcastle star's introduction. 7
Andreas Christensen
The Dane kept his place – Thiago Silva dropped to the bench – and was solid alongside Antonio Rudiger. Christensen's passing was effective and one raking ball forward that got Timo Werner through deserved better. The German's first touch let him down. 7
Antonio Rudiger
Chelsea's aggressive leader has spent much of the past year thriving on the left of a back three. This afternoon he showcased once more he can be equally effective in a back four.
Rudiger was not only reliable defensively but produced three eye-catching surges to get the Blues into the final third. Was his side's best performer. 9
Malang Sarr
With Ben Chilwell out injured and Marcos Alonso not yet fully fit after Covid, it was left to Sarr to patrol the left flank.
The Frenchman was a little shaky in possession when pressed by the Newcastle defence but willing to try to get forward and offer an outlet. Earned the scorn of Thomas Tuchel in the second period for not being stronger in his challenges. 6
Jorginho
As has been the case in recent matches, Chelsea needed more from their midfield conductor. Too often the game bypassed Jorginho, and when he did receive possession, his passing was too passive to cause Newcastle any problems.
But then, as the game inched towards a conclusion, Jorginho looked up, spotted the run of Havertz who managed to finish. 7
N'Golo Kante
Dropped in alongside Jorginho, Kante was tasked with protecting the backline but also being Chelsea's key man in transition. There were three occasions the Frenchman was able to turn and drive into the Newcastle half, but the Blues weren't able to make the most of these runs. 8
Mason Mount
Having rediscovered his best form against Norwich on Thursday, Mount would've wanted to produce once more for Chelsea. It didn't happen. The England international, used on the left of the midfield, struggled to get on the ball and his delivery from set-pieces were poor. Replaced by Mateo Kovacic shortly after the hour mark. 6
Hakim Ziyech
Back in the starting XI for the first time after injury, it was on Ziyech to try to open up the Newcastle defence. It didn't happen, largely because Ziyech very rarely received the ball in dangerous areas.
The 28-year-old did work hard to cover Chalobah and spent too much of the contest as a wing-back rather than a right winger. One cross that found Kai Havertz was his standout moment 6
Kai Havertz
Once again preferred to lead the attack ahead of Romelu Lukaku, Havertz spent much of the opening 45 minutes tussling with Newcastle centre-backs Schar and Dan Burn.
He couldn't escape the Magpies defenders after the interval either and it appeared as though it was going to be a frustrating afternoon for Havertz. But then, in the dying moments, he burst forward to collect a Jorginho pass and poke beyond Martin Dubravka to secure all three points for Chelsea. 8
Timo Werner
The German was handed his second start in succession but made little impact in the first half. It was the same story after the interval and the one sight of goal that was presented to Werner ended with the ball running into the arms of Dubravka after a poor first touch.
He did draw a penalty in the second period but – to the shock of few in truth – was offside in the build-up. 4
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic (for Mason Mount, 63)
Added a little more drive to Chelsea's midfield in possession. One slaloming run forward was unceremoniously ended by Bruno Guimaraes. 7
Romelu Lukaku (for Timo Werner, 63)
Introduced to give Chelsea a great physical presence against the Newcastle backline, Lukaku wasn't able to make the impact desired. 6
Christian Pulisic (for Malang Sarr, 79)
Had just ten minutes to make an impact. Needed longer. N/A
