James pinpoints Chelsea’s ‘unbelievable’ asset after beating Newcastle

Lewis Oldham
Chelsea star Reece James

Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that the team spirit at the club is “unbelievable” at the moment as they sit top of the Premier League.

The Blues picked up their eighth league victory of the season on Saturday. They were level with Newcastle up until the 65th minute at St James’ Park.

James scored a quickfire brace before Jorginho added a third for the visitors from the penalty spot.


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Meanwhile, Liverpool and Man City dropped points against Brighton and Crystal Palace respectively. These results leave Chelsea three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to face Malmo in the Champions League in midweek before they host Sean Dyche’s Burnley next weekend.

As reported by the club’s official website, James said that Chelsea have great team spirit:

“We knew coming here was going to be a very tough game, we had to break them down and it took a lot of time. We tried many times in the first half but as we saw they’re a very strong and organised side, especially at home with their home support.

“It was going to be tough to break them down and it would take some time. Of course it’s very frustrating. But you have to keep banging away. The chance will come as long as you keep knocking on the door.

“Coming away from home to St James’ Park, which is a tough place, and picking up three points when the two teams behind have dropped points is obviously a great result for us. It puts us in a strong position.

“Everyone loves playing and everyone wants to win, the team spirit in the changing room at the moment is unbelievable.”

Elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel praised James after the win over Newcastle:

“Reece is allowed to come inside, that’s not a problem. All the spaces we want to attack from. We have all the players in the spaces we want to be dangerous. So if there is a winger waiting wide, the wing-back is allowed to attack the half space.

“I think every team does this in this system. We need the wing-backs to arrive in our box to increase the chance of scoring and create goal chances.

The first goal, it was brilliant dribbling from Callum on the left side. Ruben arrived, Kai was in the box, and this is what it takes in the end to have a rebound and a chance for a goal. Reece took it brilliantly.”