Premier League: Frank Lampard's Chelsea secure comfortable win at Newcastle United

A goal in each half steered Chelsea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle to move to the top of the Premier League table.

Chelsea flew out of the traps and deservedly got themselves in front as Federico Fernandez put the ball through his own net from a Blues corner with just 10 minutes on the clock.

Frank Lampard's side then got a little sloppy and allowed the home team back into the match, but killed off the Newcastle response with a devastating goal on the counter created by Timo Werner, finished off by Tammy Abraham, on the scoresheet for the third game in a row.

The hosts finished the encounter having had one shot on target all match, as Chelsea made it 12 unbeaten in all competitions to, temporarily at least with rivals in action later in the weekend, climb atop the Premier League summit for the first time under Lampard.

Newcastle had no answer to the Blues onslaught early on, and moments after one of those heat seeking missile crosses from Hakim Ziyech had forced a fine save from Karl Darlow, Mason Mount drilled over the cross after a short corner, and Fernandez, under challenge from Ben Chilwell, could do nothing as he steered the ball into his own net.

Werner, looking to quickly forget Germany’s 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain in midweek, really should have made it two just after the half hour mark, but somehow slid the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

The chances continued to come and go for Chelsea, with Newcastle creating some openings of their own, but the hosts' profligacy was punished in style by Chelsea, with Werner putting on the afterburners to scythe Newcastle open before setting up Abraham for that killer second.

All is not well at Newcastle, with fans disgruntled with what they are seeing from afar. Chelsea, on the other hand, are hitting top gear and sending a real message to their rivals.

Even with all the summer outlay, it was thought a new-look would need time to gel, with Liverpool and Manchester City in a league of their own for now.

However, with the season looking a little more unpredictable in these uncertain times, Chelsea have taken advantage to sit top of the pile, and they deserve to be there.

The scary thing for Chelsea's rivals is there is more to come. Christian Pulisic has struggled for fitness, Kai Havertz is yet to find his feet, while the Blues' strength in depth from the bench is frightening.

Werner took a few weeks to settle, but he is looking more than comfortable in the Premier League. He really should have scored at St James'. but his all-round contribution was one of real quality and constant threat. He has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions (8 goals, 3 assists).

Newcastle: Darlow 7, Clark 6, Lascelles 6, Fernandez 6, Manquillo 5, Hayden 5, S Longstaff 5, Lewis 6, Murphy 5, Saint-Maximin 5, Joelinton 5... Subs: Schar 5, Almiron 5, Carroll 5.

Chelsea: Mendy 6, James 7, Rudiger 6, Zouma 7, Chilwell 6, Kante 6, Kovacic 7, Mount 7, Ziyech 7, Abraham 7, Werner 8... Subs: Emerson N/A, Hudson-Odoi 6, Giroud N/A.

4’ - SAVE! Too easy for Chelsea as Timo Werner is played through, drills for the bottom corner, but Karl Darlow is down sharply to make a fine save.

9’ - SAVE! My word, what a wand of a left foot Ziyech has. Abraham gets on the end of the Blues forward's centre, but Darlow is again alert to it, tipping over.

10’ - GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!! Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea. Looks like an own goal, but it had been coming. Newcastle are caught cold by the short corner, Mason Mount whips the cross in, but Fernandez can only divert the ball into his own net under challenge from Ben Chilwell. Unfortunate for Newcastle defender, but Chelsea deserve their lead.

31’ - WHAT A MISS! Mount with the pass into Abraham, Werner takes the ball off his team-mate, has the goal at his mercy, but somehow slides the ball wide. Had to score from there.

53’ - WRONG OPTION! Awful from Schar as he takes too long to clear, Werner nips in, is clean through, but opts to square for Ziyech, underhits the pass and Newcastle clear.

61’ - CHANCE! Joelinton has time and space to pick his spot from the edge of the box, as Chelsea defenders back off, but he lofts his effort over the top. Big opportunity for the Brazilian.

65’ - GGGGOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea. There it is! That crucial second, scored by Abraham. All about the assist from Werner, as he uses his electric pace to dart between two Newcastle defenders, races clear, lays it through for Abraham, who finishes off the post. Game over?

72’ - CROSSBAR! That was the moment for Newcastle as Longstaff unleashes an effort at goal from distance, it looks to be heading into the top corner, but clips the top of the crossbar and flies over.

Chelsea have won 26 Premier League games against Newcastle United – only versus Tottenham Hotspur (30) have they won more games in the competition.

Newcastle have lost five of their last seven home matches in the Premier League (W2), as many as in the previous 25.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has won just two of his 24 Premier League games as manager against Chelsea (D5 L17), losing eight of his last nine such encounters (W1).

Chelsea have kept three consecutive away clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since October 2018.

Édouard Mendy has registered seven clean sheets in his nine appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, with today’s shutout his fourth in five Premier League games.