Reece James being embraced by Rudiger
Chelsea take Premier League title race advantage as rivals Liverpool, ManCity slip-up
Reece James scored twice at St James’ Park as three second half goals earned Chelsea an impressive victory over Newcastle, with their two title rivals slipping up.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues scored three second half goals at Newcastle as full-back Reece James scored twice before Jorginho added a penalty.
At Anfield, Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead to only draw 2-2 at home to Brighton, while City went down 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace as Wilfried Zaha scored early, Aymeric Laporte was sent off and Conor Gallagher added a late second.
According to Mirror Football, Chelsea were made to wait for their goals against the Magpies, but it was fullback James who stepped up with two fine strikes.
Kai Havertz was then fouled for a penalty, which Jorginho converted as Chelsea struck three times in 16 minutes.
Liverpool had looked in total control against Brighton, with skipper Jordan Henderson firing them ahead after just four minutes.
The Reds lost Naby Keita to injury in the first half, but his replacement Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain soon teed up a second for Sadio Mane, who scored with a far post header.
Mane and Mohamed Salah both had goals ruled out for the Reds, but in between Enock Mwepu pulled a goal back for the Seagulls.
Graham Potter’s side then levelled when ex-Reds man Adam Lallana teed up Leandro Trossard to fire into the bottom corner.
Meanwhile at the Etihad Stadium, City fell a goal down to Palace after just six minutes when the returning Zaha found the net.
Zaha was heavily involved in the action, and it was the Ivorian’s tangle with Laporte shortly before half-time which resulted in a straight red card for the centre-back.
As City pressed in the second half, Gabriel Jesus then had what he thought was an equaliser ruled out by VAR, before Gallagher grabbed his third goal of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side were left frustrated by ex-City midfielder Patrick Vieira’s side, who earned just their second Premier League win of the season.
