Thomas Tuchel with N'Golo Kante after Chelsea's Premier League win over Newcastle. PA
Thomas Tuchel with N'Golo Kante after Chelsea's Premier League win over Newcastle. PA
Thomas Tuchel with N'Golo Kante after Chelsea's Premier League win over Newcastle. PA
Thomas Tuchel with N'Golo Kante after Chelsea's Premier League win over Newcastle. PA

Football

Thomas Tuchel insists Chelsea still have 'a long way to go' after beating Newcastle to return to top four

Blues back in the hunt for Champions League places following 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge

The National

February 16, 2021

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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says his team still has "a long way to go" to achieve their targets after moving back into the Premier League top four with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday.

Since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard last month, Chelsea have racked up 13 points from five Premier League games, the same as in Jose Mourinho's first five matches in charge before he made the Londoners champions of England three times over two spells.

Tuchel's start has only been bettered by Carlo Ancelotti, who led Chelsea to a league and FA Cup double, and Maurizio Sarri under whom the Blues won the Europa League in 2019.

The former Paris Saint-Germain coach said finishing in the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League remained the target.

"There are many teams behind us, chasing us but, yes, we had many points to recover when we started and it stays a big challenge because it's many, many, many games coming," Tuchel told Sky Sports.

"Every game is a difficult game and we will keep on fighting. It was a good run so far but we will have a long way to go."

Chelsea were languishing in mid-table when Tuchel replaced Lampard less than a month ago.

Since then, he has helped striker Timo Werner recover his confidence – the German scored his first league goal in more than four months on Monday – and brought in players who had been side-lined and are now fighting for their place in the team.

Left-back Marcos Alonso, who reportedly fell out with Lampard early in the season, has brought his attacking threat back and even out-of-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga returned for the game against Newcastle.

However, Tuchel said Edouard Mendy remained his first choice keeper.

The German also believed Chelsea have room for improvement, especially in attack.

"We lacked decision-making in the box, we can be... more deadly," he said.

________________

Chelsea v Newcastle player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6: Surprising first Premier League start since October ahead of Edouard Mendy but Newcastle failed miserably to test out the erratic Spaniard. A few simple saves but just not put under any real pressure. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel insisted after the match that Mendy remains No 1. PA
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6: Surprising first Premier League start since October ahead of Edouard Mendy but Newcastle failed miserably to test out the erratic Spaniard. A few simple saves but just not put under any real pressure. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel insisted after the match that Mendy remains No 1. PA
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Saw goal-bound header blocked after six minutes and often became over-lapping full-back down right from his position in back three. AP
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Saw goal-bound header blocked after six minutes and often became over-lapping full-back down right from his position in back three. AP
Andreas Christensen - 7: Stroll in the park as Newcastle offered no attacking threat, with the Dane coping easily with what little was thrown at him. Reuters
Andreas Christensen - 7: Stroll in the park as Newcastle offered no attacking threat, with the Dane coping easily with what little was thrown at him. Reuters
Antonio Rudiger - 7: Back in favour under Tuchel and not put under any pressure as likes of Gayle and Joelinton made no impact on Chelsea defence. AP
Antonio Rudiger - 7: Back in favour under Tuchel and not put under any pressure as likes of Gayle and Joelinton made no impact on Chelsea defence. AP
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6: Always looking to drive Chelsea forward from out wide although his final product was lacking somewhat with crosses rarely finding a Blue shirt. AFP
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6: Always looking to drive Chelsea forward from out wide although his final product was lacking somewhat with crosses rarely finding a Blue shirt. AFP
Jorginho - 7: Seems revitalised under new manager and ran the centre of midfield alongside Kovacic. Reuters
Jorginho - 7: Seems revitalised under new manager and ran the centre of midfield alongside Kovacic. Reuters
Mateo Kovacic - 8: A first choice under Tuchel and while he offers nothing in terms of attacking threat, as shown by second-half shot that he curled over when well placed, that’s not what he’s in team for. Strong in the tackle, then simple distribution to Chelsea’s more attacking players. Man of the Match. PA
Mateo Kovacic - 8: A first choice under Tuchel and while he offers nothing in terms of attacking threat, as shown by second-half shot that he curled over when well placed, that’s not what he’s in team for. Strong in the tackle, then simple distribution to Chelsea’s more attacking players. Man of the Match. PA
Marcos Alonso - 7: Had game’s first shot on target after two minutes firing straight at Darlow from tight angle and then supplied Werner with chance to open scoring that attacker should have done better with. Linked up well with German down left. Getty
Marcos Alonso - 7: Had game’s first shot on target after two minutes firing straight at Darlow from tight angle and then supplied Werner with chance to open scoring that attacker should have done better with. Linked up well with German down left. Getty
Mason Mount - 7: Well delivered corner helped set-up second goal but would have been disappointed that two shots just before the break failed to even force a save out of Darlow. Reuters
Mason Mount - 7: Well delivered corner helped set-up second goal but would have been disappointed that two shots just before the break failed to even force a save out of Darlow. Reuters
Timo Werner - 8: Decent opportunity to open scoring 25 minutes in when he sent first-time shot wide of target from Alonso’s cushioned header. Too good for Krafth down left as German helped set-up opener for Giroud. Clipped half-volley over bar minutes after that goal and deserved to end his drought with scruffy finish following Lascelles error. AFP
Timo Werner - 8: Decent opportunity to open scoring 25 minutes in when he sent first-time shot wide of target from Alonso’s cushioned header. Too good for Krafth down left as German helped set-up opener for Giroud. Clipped half-volley over bar minutes after that goal and deserved to end his drought with scruffy finish following Lascelles error. AFP
Tammy Abraham - 5: Striker picked up ankle injury, after sliding Lascaelles challenge denied him shot on goal, that he couldn’t run off. Lasted less than 20 minutes on return to team. PA
Tammy Abraham - 5: Striker picked up ankle injury, after sliding Lascaelles challenge denied him shot on goal, that he couldn’t run off. Lasted less than 20 minutes on return to team. PA
SUBS: Oliver Giroud – (On for Abraham 20’) 6: Early introduction due to Abraham injury, making a 100th Premier League appearance as a substitute. Blasted home Chelsea’s first goal just after half-hour mark when low cross from Werner ended up at his feet via Darlow save. AFP
SUBS: Oliver Giroud – (On for Abraham 20’) 6: Early introduction due to Abraham injury, making a 100th Premier League appearance as a substitute. Blasted home Chelsea’s first goal just after half-hour mark when low cross from Werner ended up at his feet via Darlow save. AFP
N’golo Kante – (On for Mount 70’) 6: Slotted into midfield with no problems. AFP
N’golo Kante – (On for Mount 70’) 6: Slotted into midfield with no problems. AFP
Reece James – (On for Hudson-Odai 78’) N/A.
Reece James – (On for Hudson-Odai 78’) N/A.
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 6: Slightly unfortunate when he diverted Werner’s cross straight to Giroud for opening goal. Tried desperately to keep out Werner’s shot for second, to no avail. PA
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 6: Slightly unfortunate when he diverted Werner’s cross straight to Giroud for opening goal. Tried desperately to keep out Werner’s shot for second, to no avail. PA
Emil Krafth - 6: Right-back struggled to deal with Werner and Alonso from the off and was easily beaten by German in run-up to Chelsea opener. Better in second half. EPA
Emil Krafth - 6: Right-back struggled to deal with Werner and Alonso from the off and was easily beaten by German in run-up to Chelsea opener. Better in second half. EPA
Jamaal Lascelles - 6: Captain returned to starting XI and needed a perfectly timed recovery tackle to deny Abraham shot on goal 15 minutes in, that resulted in the Chelsea man going off injured. But was leaden footed when ball rebounded off his legs to gift Werner Chelsea’s second. EPA
Jamaal Lascelles - 6: Captain returned to starting XI and needed a perfectly timed recovery tackle to deny Abraham shot on goal 15 minutes in, that resulted in the Chelsea man going off injured. But was leaden footed when ball rebounded off his legs to gift Werner Chelsea’s second. EPA
Ciaran Clark - 7: Another back in the team after injury, reads the game well and produced some well-timed challenges in the air and on the deck. Newcastle desperately need to keep him fit with so many injuries in the centre-back positions. AFP
Ciaran Clark - 7: Another back in the team after injury, reads the game well and produced some well-timed challenges in the air and on the deck. Newcastle desperately need to keep him fit with so many injuries in the centre-back positions. AFP
Jamal Lewis - 6: Excellent recovery run and challenge as Werner threatened quick counter-attack in first half but caught sleeping as the German made it 2-0. AP
Jamal Lewis - 6: Excellent recovery run and challenge as Werner threatened quick counter-attack in first half but caught sleeping as the German made it 2-0. AP
Jonjo Shelvey - 5: Lovely ball down left to Lewis 20 minutes in but that was about it in the first half spending most of the time chasing Chelsea shadows. Ambitious free kick from more than 25 metres out easily saved by Kepa just after break. AP
Jonjo Shelvey - 5: Lovely ball down left to Lewis 20 minutes in but that was about it in the first half spending most of the time chasing Chelsea shadows. Ambitious free kick from more than 25 metres out easily saved by Kepa just after break. AP
Isaac Hayden - 7: Back in his favoured midfield role after covering in defensive positions, producing his usual crunching tackles and reliable distribution. Getty
Isaac Hayden - 7: Back in his favoured midfield role after covering in defensive positions, producing his usual crunching tackles and reliable distribution. Getty
Joe Willock - 6: Enjoyed superb first game on loan from Arsenal against Southampton but found Chelsea’s midfield a whole different ball game. No hint of repeating debut goal until scuffing Saint-Maximin cross wide just after break. Good leap and header forced save out of Kepa. PA
Joe Willock - 6: Enjoyed superb first game on loan from Arsenal against Southampton but found Chelsea’s midfield a whole different ball game. No hint of repeating debut goal until scuffing Saint-Maximin cross wide just after break. Good leap and header forced save out of Kepa. PA
Miguel Almiron - 5: Two goals in his last game, but offered next to nothing in terms of attacking threat until presented with difficult volley that Paraguayan could only fire wildly off target in last 10 minutes. Getty
Miguel Almiron - 5: Two goals in his last game, but offered next to nothing in terms of attacking threat until presented with difficult volley that Paraguayan could only fire wildly off target in last 10 minutes. Getty
Allan Saint-Maximin - 5: Newcastle’s talismanic attacker wasn’t allowed time or space to make any impact. Decent run and cross set-up half chance for Willock after break, but that was as good as it got for the Frenchman. AP
Allan Saint-Maximin - 5: Newcastle’s talismanic attacker wasn’t allowed time or space to make any impact. Decent run and cross set-up half chance for Willock after break, but that was as good as it got for the Frenchman. AP
Dwight Gayle - 4: Back in team with top scorer Callum Wilson out injured but called on in defence to turn Azpilicueta header over in first 10 minutes. A goal-poacher who relies on service in the box but was stuck out in an unnatural wide role. Reuters
Dwight Gayle - 4: Back in team with top scorer Callum Wilson out injured but called on in defence to turn Azpilicueta header over in first 10 minutes. A goal-poacher who relies on service in the box but was stuck out in an unnatural wide role. Reuters
SUBS: Joelinton – (On for Gayle 64’) 4: Contributed nothing until flick through for Almiron in last 10 minutes. AP
SUBS: Joelinton – (On for Gayle 64’) 4: Contributed nothing until flick through for Almiron in last 10 minutes. AP
Ryan Fraser – (On for Saint-Maximin 73’) 5: Found Willock with good early cross into box soon after coming on. Getty
Ryan Fraser – (On for Saint-Maximin 73’) 5: Found Willock with good early cross into box soon after coming on. Getty
Andy Carroll – (On for Willock 81’) N/A. Getty
Andy Carroll – (On for Willock 81’) N/A. Getty
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