Newcastle sounds top four warning with win over abject Chelsea

Joe Willock celebrates his great finish that seals Newcastle's win over Chelsea at St. James's Park on Saturday. Newcastle won 1-0. ...

Joe Willock celebrates his great finish that seals Newcastle's win over Chelsea at St. James's Park on Saturday. Newcastle won 1-0. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

It’s going from bad to worse for Graham Potter at Chelsea after yet another loss to a potential top-four rival on Saturday away at St. James’s Park.

If there’s anything to take out from Chelsea’s loss at Newcastle on Saturday, it is the fact that the Toon Armies have an agenda this season and they’re well and truly in the title conversation, much to the credit of Eddie Howe who has transformed the club beyond measures.

Potter rang a host of changes at Newcastle with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling left out of the starting line up and there was space for an eighteen-year-old lad named Lewis Hall; Kai Havertz, Tiago Silva, and Marc Cucurella all dropped to the bench.

Newcastle returned as they were last weekend and they dominated the game from start to finish but it was a second-half goal by former Arsenal youngster Joe Willock that settled the affair and, once again, Miguel Almiron had a say with a neat assist.

Potter chased the game but it was too late and Newcastle gave nothing away. Eddie Howe’s side now sits comfortably in third, just two points behind Manchester City who lost earlier in the day and seven off the top after Arsenal beat Wolves to extend their lead over City late on.

Chelsea’s loss meant they head into the World Cup break on a low and the defeat will hover around them until they get the chance to make things right on Boxing Day. Chelsea sits in 8^th, just a point behind top six and a whooping eight behind top four.