Tuchel ‘we need to focus on the football’
Check out Thomas Tuchel’s post match press conference after Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Newcastle in the Premier League. The German manager addressed the difficult situation that he, his players and Chelsea FC as a whole are facing and how they are coping.
The European champions did not manage a shot on target for 75 minutes in a largely listless performance coming just days after Roman Abramovich was disqualified as owner after being sanctioned by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Havertz eventually tested Martin Dubravka with a header late in the second half but it looked as though Newcastle – whose own Saudi Arabia-backed ownership came under further scrutiny in the build-up to the match – would extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.
However, Havertz’s sublime control and finish from Jorginho’s pass in the 89th minute gave Thomas Tuchel’s men all three points, the Germany star having earlier been fortunate to escape a red card.
Newcastle largely kept Chelsea comfortably at bay in the first half, though, and Havertz – starting again in place of Romelu Lukaku – was arguably lucky not to see his game end early, a VAR check deciding no more than a yellow card was required after he caught Dan Burn with a raised arm.
Miguel Almiron almost scored a stunning opener seconds before the break, his volley from the edge of the box beaten away by Edouard Mendy.
VAR again left Newcastle fans frustrated when referee David Coote chose not to give a penalty for Trevoh Chalobah’s challenge on Jacob Murphy and the decision was allowed to stand.
Havertz at last evaded centre-back Dan Burn to meet Hakim Ziyech’s cross, but he could only nod the ball into Dubravka’s grateful grasp.
Yet when Havertz at last evaded the attentions of Burn, he took down Jorginho’s raking pass superbly before prodding high past Dubravka.
Havertz (89′)
