Chelsea 3 Newcastle United 1: Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard goals secure comeback win at Stamford Bridge

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Vaishali Bhardwaj2 December 2017

Despite the hosts dominating the game, it was Newcastle who took the lead through Dwight Gayle, who stunned the hosts when he opened the scoring with just 12 minutes on the clock.

But Hazard drew Chelsea level with his fourth Premier League goal of the season nine minutes later before Alvaro Morata handed the champions the lead for the first time in the game with his 33rd-minute header - Chelsea's ninth headed league goal already this season.

Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Hazard then got his second goal of the game from the penalty spot in the second half to secure a victory that takes Antonio Conte's side level on points with second-placed Manchester United, who play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium later on Saturday.

The game on Saturday marked the first return to Stamford Bridge for Rafael Benitez since his interim spell at the club in 2013, during which time he steered Chelsea to the Europa League title and Champions League qualification.

Despite his successful six-month stint in west London, his past at Premier League rivals Liverpool meant some Chelsea fans never accepted the Spaniard's appointment - with his name being met with boos from the home fans before kick-off on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Yet, it was Benitez who was left laughing in only the 12th minute when Gayle scored the opener following some sloppy defensive play from Chelsea.

The Blues failed to deal with a long ball from the visitors before Thibaut Courtois rushed out to claim Marcos Alonso's attempted back-pass. Though he denied Jacob Murphy, the rebound fell to Gayle, who finished off the move with a low drive to stun the hosts.

Chelsea upped the tempo and Hazard forced Karl Darlow into a save before the Blues were denied two penalty calls, the second of came after the Newcastle goalkeeper clattered into the back of Morata in the area.

Nothing was given, but it wasn't long before the hosts equalised through Hazard.

Just moments after Andreas Christensen had hit the post, a long ball from Cesar Azpilicueta, who had been rested against Swansea, was cleared but only as far to Hazard, who fired past Darlow to restore parity.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Chelsea then took the lead for the first time in the game in the 33rd minute after Alonso's cross-field pass found Victor Moses out on the right.

The wing-back's subsequent pass into the box was missed by the Newcastle defence and found Morata, who headed in his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Conte's side went on to dominate the game, but had to wait until the 74th minute to get a third which came from the penalty spot.

After Moses was brought down by Matt Richie in the area, Hazard converted Chelsea's resulting spot-kick to hand the Blues a comfortable advantage.

The Belgian could have had a hat-trick but could not beat Darlow, yet it didn't matter as Chelsea held on to secure a 3-1 win that extends their unbeaten league streak to seven games.

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