Chelsea has notched up their fourth league win in a row under new coach Thomas Tuchel and striker Timo Werner ended his goal drought, as the Blues beat Newcastle United 2-0, to leapfrog Liverpool into the Champions League qualifying places.
Werner, a desolate figure towards at the end of Frank Lampard's time as Chelsea manager, made no mistake in the 39th minute when the ball fell for him at the far post and he put the hosts 2-0 up with his first league goal since early November.
The German also had a big role in Chelsea's opener eight minutes earlier when he got to the byline and his cross was pushed away by Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow straight to the feet of Oliver Giroud who scored from 10 yards.
The France striker had replaced Tammy Abraham who was injured early in the game.
Tuchel gave out-of-favour goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga his first league start since mid-October. The Spaniard saved well from a Joe Willock header in the 75th minute but had little else to do as Chelsea kept their fourth clean sheet in five league games under Tuchel.
The win pushed Chelsea into fourth place, two points clear of out-of-form champions Liverpool and ahead of fifth-placed West Ham United on goal difference after the Hammers won earlier on Monday. Newcastle stay in the last spot above the relegation zone, seven points clear of Fulham in 18th place.
High-flying Hammers flirt with top four
West Ham United briefly moved into the top four of the Premier League standings after an efficient 3-0 home win over bottom side Sheffield United at the London Stadium.
Declan Rice's 41st-minute penalty had the hosts in front at halftime.
Issa Diop added a second in the 58th minute with a header and Ryan Fredericks scored with the last kick of the game.
David Moyes's team controlled the majority of proceedings against a spirited Sheffield United, who again paid a price for individual errors.
The result means West Ham move on to 42 points, jumping from sixth to fourth above champions Liverpool on 40 and Chelsea, who have 39 points but were hosting Newcastle United later on Monday.
A fourth win in their last six league games boosted West Ham's hopes of a place in European club competition next season while keeping the Blades at the foot of the table with 11 points from 24 matches.
Reuters
