Joe Willock’s stunning strike, on Saturday, earned Newcastle a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at St James’ Park, condemning Graham Potter’s side to their third consecutive Premier League defeat.
Neither goalkeeper was troubled unduly during a lacklustre first half, with Miguel Almiron volleying over at one end and Armando Broja forcing a routine save at the other as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.
The Magpies, sensing an opportunity to prey on a below-par Chelsea side, were much more progressive after the restart, although Nick Pope was forced into a sprawling save in the 65th minute to deny Conor Gallagher’s curling shot.
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Newcastle, who went ahead two minutes later when Almiron embarked on a jinxing run before finding Willock, will enter the World Cup break as the top-flight’s third-placed team.
Chelsea, however, are languishing in eighth.
Newcastle have now won five consecutive Premier League games for the first time since 2014, while they are unbeaten in 10 for the first time since 2011.
Potter, conversely, is the first Chelsea manager to lose three league games on the trot since Jose Mourinho in November 2015 – who incidentally lost his job the following month.
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