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Chelsea react and make surprise claim after Newcastle United nightmare comes true

Newcastle United players celebrate and, inset, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has claimed he was 'not worried' by the prospect of Newcastle United leapfrogging his side into fourth place.

Newcastle moved above Chelsea in the table following a 3-0 win against Wolves at St James' Park on Wednesday night. For context, Chelsea were 11 points clear of Newcastle just a month ago, at a time when the Blues were touted as potential title challengers, but there has been a huge swing in results since then.

Newcastle have recorded six straight wins in the league and nine successive victories in all competitions. Chelsea, in contrast, have embarked on a five-game winless run in the top-flight and picked up just three points from a possible 15 against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

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Maresca has always maintained that Newcastle 'would be there' and, following a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, the Italian was asked if dropping out of the top four was a serious concern.

"It can happen," he told reporters. "I'm not worried in case Newcastle win and go ahead of us. I'm always worried - even when we win. I'm more worried about understanding how we can improve the team. This is the main target."

Alexander Isak admitted 'we want to grab points and for other teams to drop points', but Eddie Howe stressed Newcastle do not look at the other teams' results and base their game and performances on what happens elsewhere after his side simply took care of their own business.