Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle: Three key points from the FA Cup clash

Chelsea are back on track with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup following a series of goalless draws. 

Now the Blues will have the task of carrying the momentum into the next game – against Bournemouth on Wednesday. 

Here are the key points from the game:

The Chelsea squad needs depth

The Blues might have won 3-0 but the squad is in glaring need of improvement if they are to salvage their season.

Chelsea have been a bit thin up front as Alvaro Morata has failed to hit his initial fine form since joining from Real Madrid in the summer. The truth is losing Costa has hurt the Blues, and Morata needs competition. The club chief executive Marina Granovskaia has been working ceaselessly to give Conte that extra man in attack and by the look of it, this will be Arsenal’s supersub Olivier Giroud. 

There are a few more touches left however as David Luiz is reportedly on his way out of Stamford Bridge. Time is fast ruining out for Conte and company to get the necessary numbers and quality. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_iA5mECwb0&t=1s

Impressive debut for Barkley

The Chelsea new signing was superb in the midfield, coming on for Eden Hazard in the 71st minute. 

Barkley showed flair and dynamism and provided an extra dimension in attack. He never looked shy in possession, and Antonio Conte will be hoping the English midfielder extends his good form into the next game.

Magical Marcos Alonso

The Spaniard has fit quite well into Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system, complementing the central midfield trio of N’golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappa Costa excellently. Against Newcastle, it was no different.

He started the game slowly, initially struggling a little bit, but compensated for it as the match progressed. He swiveled a free-kick in for Chelsea’s third goal.