Chelsea player ratings, as if any rating or data can describe Eden Hazard
By George Perry
Chelsea rolled over another bottom-half opponent, this time putting on a show to welcome Rafael Benitez back to Stamford Bridge. The Blues had no deficiencies, as the entire starting XI were on strong form.
Chelsea are off to the perfect start to the holiday period, as they are winning and winning easily against weaker opponents. These are the games the Blues must win to keep their title hopes alive, as they proved last season. Let the rest of the top six fall to the bogeys, and Chelsea can march on.
All stats from whoscored.com.
Goalkeeper and defence
6. Thibaut Courtois may be looking forward to Tuesday’s match against Atletico Madrid more than any other player. Aside from the usual excitement about facing a former team, Courtois is surely hoping Atletico give him something to do. Once again, Courtois spectated for most of the game as Chelsea dominated possession and Newcastle needed binoculars to see Courtois’ net. There was little he could do on the Magpies’ goal, given Marcos Alonso’s tragicomic sequence of play. <p><strong>Had 28 touches all game: eight more than Gary Cahill, who came on in the 80th minute.</strong></p>. 13. Belgium. THIBAUT COURTOIS
Like Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta reaped the advantages of midweek rest. Azpilicueta marshaled the team from the back, keeping Chelsea organized on both sides of the ball while relentlessly keeping play moving towards the Newcastle half. He was a perfect link-up man between Andreas Christensen and Victor Moses, making Chelsea’s right look as powerful and fluid as it did last year. Azpilicueta does not need a lot of rest, but resting him when the opportunity presents itself is an investment in the subsequent games. <p><strong>Azpilicueta’s 143 touches equalled Newcastle’s two most-involved players combined: Matt Ritchie (72 touches) and Mikel Merino (71).</strong></p>. 28. Spain. CESAR AZPILICUETA. 8
8. Andreas Christensen has done everything he needs to on defence, so now he just needs to open his account as a goal-scorer. A few weeks ago against Manchester United he mistimed a header and an incoming corner kick bounced off his shoulder and over the net. He made contact against Newcastle, and watched his header bounce off the post. If the shot had a bit more power it would have been on the happy side of the woodwork. Only a matter of time. <p><strong>Predictably, he led Chelsea on pass accuracy: 91%.</strong></p>. 27. Denmark. ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN
2. Germany. ANTONIO RUDIGER. 7. Antonio Rudiger is becoming increasingly comfortable as the mobile, dynamic centre-back who can appear high up the pitch and then be right back on the defensive line. This is great against teams like Swansea City and Newcastle, but could land him (and the Blues) in hot water against a top-half team. Rudiger may be in a spot like Cesc Fabregas last season: the perfect player for some opponents, but on the bench for the big ones. <p><strong>Won four aerial duels, tied for second among the Blues.</strong></p>