Chelsea’s recent rut under Graham Potter ended on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Kai Havertz’s header midway through the second half was greeted by jubilation on all four sides of Stamford Bridge as the supporters did their best to get behind Potter’s under-pressure side.
They had toiled for much of the first and second halves, unable to make the most of their superior possession over Crystal Palace.
The club’s new signing, Mykhailo Mudryk, was unveiled at half-time and his presence on the pitch appeared to motivate his new teammates.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk winger was presented draped in the Ukrainian flag with the move set to take Chelsea’s spending in their first season under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s consortium beyond £400 million.
There was not been much to show for that investment so far, but Potter’s injury-ravaged squad did enough to grind out just a second win in 10 league games.
Havertz had made the breakthrough as he rose highest to power home Hakim Ziyech’s cross from a well-worked corner on 64 minutes.
Chelsea still needed some heroics from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to see the game out as the Spaniard made a flying save from Cheick Doucoure’s sweetly-struck volley.
Despite a much-needed win, Chelsea remain 10 points adrift of the top four after Newcastle kept their title dreams alive at St. James’ Park.
