Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Willock gives Magpies win

Joe Willock ensured Newcastle will head into the World Cup break sitting proudly in the top three after beating Chelsea to claim a fifth-successive Premier League victory.

The midfielder’s sumptuous 67th-minute strike – his second goal in as many games – handed the Magpies a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 52,264 at St James’ Park and left them nine points clear of the Blues, one of their rivals for a top-six finish, having played a game more.

A deserved victory took Eddie Howe’s side to 30 points for the campaign, a total they did not reach last season until March 10.

Reaction from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope: “The big games are there to go after for us. We have done that really well this season. The crowd are really behind us in this stadium.

“The boys didn’t give me too much to do so it is good to chip in when I can. You will have moments when you need to make big saves and blocks [like from Conor Gallagher]. The boys were tremendous in front of me and pressed really well. The game plan that was put together, we really believed in it.

“As soon as I signed I felt the excitement in the city and I am over the moon with how it started.

“When the big tournaments [World Cup] are around there will always be people who miss out so we are glad to get through it [without getting injured].”

Newcastle matchwinner, Joe Willock, spoke to Sky Sports following the win saying: “We know what we needed to do. The manager put in a good game plan and we deserved to win. In the first half we dominated and the last pass wasn’t quite there. We got the goal and the clean sheet.

“I have been practising shooting in training to be fair. I have been missing scoring in front of these fans so to get a goal today is brilliant for me and the team.

“These games bring up high emotions. Both teams want to win and these things happen [at the end].”

Chelsea last lost three games in a row in a single season in all competitions - not including penalty shootouts - in September and October 2002.

Newcastle will be in the Premier League’s top three at Christmas for the first time since the 2001-02 season, when they were top of the table on Christmas Day (later went on to finish 4th).

There’s a bit of a barney at the end of the game as Kai Havertz and Dan Burn square up to each other. Most of the other players get involved as the heat of the game boils over.

The officials regain control and the players head down the tunnel. The Newcastle fans are loving it though. They’re celebrating a great win.

90+8 mins: There goes the full-time whistle! Newcastle have beaten Chelsea at St. James’ Park. Joe Willock’s fabulous second half strike is the difference between the two teams in the end.

Eddie Howe’s men move back above Tottenham and will be third in the Premier League heading into the World Cup break. It’s a great result for the Magpies who also cut the gap on second placed Manchester City to two points.

90+4 mins: Newcastle have decided that one goal is good enough as Joelinton heads to the corner to shield the ball and take time out of the game.

Nick Pope is shown a yellow card for either dissent or time-wasting. Either way he goes in the book.

90 mins: Seven minutes of stoppage time to play here. Hope for Chelsea and loud groans echoing out around St. James’ Park.

88 mins: Yellow card to Koulibaly. Wilson picks out Almiron who flies down the right wing and gets taken out by the defender just outside the Chelsea box.

Matt Targett is now on for Newcastle. He stands over the ball with Kieran Trippier before Trippier drills the free kick low into the box.

He doesn’t pick out a teammate and Kai Havertz is on hand to clear the danger.