Last Update: January 15, 2023, 22:19 IST
Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Graham Potter with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace as Newcastle beat Fulham 1-0 to move up to third in the Premier League on Sunday.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge on a day Chelsea paid tribute to former player and manager Gianluca Vialli.
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The Italian great died of pancreatic cancer earlier this month at the age of 58.
Several of Violi’s former Chelsea teammates joined players from both sides on the field for a minute’s silence, while the home fans unfurled a banner with Violi’s picture against a backdrop of the Italian flag.
Action on the field was also overshadowed by the official announcement during the first half that Chelsea had completed the signing of Mykhailo Mudrić for a fee that could rise to 100 million euros (88 million pounds, $108 million).
The former Shakhtar Donetsk winger was presented at half-time wrapped in the Ukrainian flag, in a move that has cost Chelsea more than £400 million to be owned by Todd Bohly’s consortium.
There hasn’t been much to show for that investment so far, but Potter’s injury-ravaged team did enough to secure just their second win in 10 league games.
Havertz made the breakthrough as he rose to the top to power Hakim Ziyech’s cross in from a well-worked corner on 64 minutes.
Chelsea still needed some heroics from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to see the game out as the Spaniard made a flying save from Cheek Doucouré’s lovely-looking volley.
Despite a much-needed win, Chelsea are 10 points behind the top four after Newcastle kept their title dreams alive at St James’ Park.
The Magpies were given a huge reprieve when Aleksandar Mitrovic disallowed a second-half penalty against his former club.
The Serbian slipped as soon as he took the spot kick and his right-footed effort fell into the net with his left foot.
Newcastle took full advantage as club-record signing Alexander Isaac came off the bench to score the winner a minute from time.
The win moved Eddie Howe’s side into third place in the table on goal difference above Manchester United and within six points of leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners can move eight points clear at the top if they win the north London derby away to Tottenham later on Sunday.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)