Six Chelsea players still face two-match suspension risk ahead of key Premier League date

Chelsea's narrow victory over Newcastle United on Monday evening lifted the Blues to within a point of the top half of the Premier League table. The west Londoners are now just a single point behind the Magpies after picking up a deserved win on the night.

Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with his players' effort and application throughout the 90-plus minutes at Stamford Bridge. «Today was great to show the players fighting, performing, okay not maybe great, but yes of course caring about the team,» Pochettino told reporters.

«And in the end beating a team that last season was fighting for the Premier League, the top four and fighting in the Champions League. And this season have good players, it's not easy. Newcastle are a very good team. Good credit to the team and to everyone.»

Pochettino made two changes from the draw at Brentford nine days prior, with Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella replacing Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill. There were early signs of Newcastle's danger and threat, particularly on the counter-attack, but Chelsea were able to gain control of the game.

While there does not seem to be too much left to fight for in the Premier League, there is an outside shot of Chelsea qualifying for some form of European football next season. The Blues are two points off Wolverhampton Wanderers in ninth-place, three off Brighton in eighth and four away from West Ham United in seventh.

There are 17 days between now and Chelsea's next Premier League fixture, at home to Burnley, with FA Cup duty and the final international break of the season sandwiched in between. After that it will be a straight run to the finish line for the Blues, who will be hoping to leave a positive taste in the mouth of the supporters, who have had