A late, late goal from Kai Havertz helped Chelsea over the line against Newcastle United in their most recent Premier League fixture. Later, Thomas Partey played a starring role as Arsenal cruised past Leicester City.
As has been the case recently, the news cycle surrounding Chelsea was less about Chelsea, the club, themselves, and more about their relationship with Roman Abramovich. Fans could be forgiven for forgetting that the Blues are still in the middle of a Premier League season, fighting for a place in the top-four. Newcastle United’s visit to the Bridge on Sunday afternoon provided them, amid all the uncertainty, a chance to secure at least a part of their future – one which still lies in their own hands.
But the Magpies have been resurgent in recent weeks, turning into top-ten hopefuls from relegation fodder. What was a highly-competitive first half threatened to turn in favor of the away side on several occasions, first, with Kai Havertz escaping a red for elbowing Dan Burn in the face, albeit minus any malicious intent, and then, Edouard Mendy denying Miguel Almiron on the stroke of half-time.
On the other side of the interval, Timo Werner raced onto a Mason Mount through ball, rounded Martin Dubravka, and was brought down by a late lunge from the goalkeeper – the flag on the far side was up, however. At the other end, Trevoh Chalobah tussled with Jacob Murphy, eventually sending the latter tumbling inside the box, but the referee looked the other way. The goal arrived in the 89th minute, with Jorginho clipping the ball over the Newcastle defense for Havertz to chase, which he brought down with a magical first touch and fired home with a deadly second.
The German’s goal strengthened Chelsea’s hold on the third position, and it could prove to be significant come the end of the season, given how Arsenal below them have found form of late. The Gunners beat Leicester City 2-0 at the Emirates with Thomas Partey scoring one – heading in a corner in the 11th minute – and playing a key role in the other.
It was Partey’s shot that Luke Thomas handled on the line in the 55th minute and, after a lengthy VAR check, Alexandre Lacazette converted the spot-kick. As comfortable a win for Arsenal as it has been in recent weeks; the Gunners are now secure in fourth – a point ahead of Manchester United, but with three games in hand.
