Premier League: Palmer, Mudryk help Chelsea beat Newcastle 3-2
Jackson put Chelsea ahead after just six minutes as he improved inside the penalty box to guode a low drive from Palmer into the corner of the Newcastle net.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes if Diego Costa continues to play in the same manner as in recent weeks then the goals will flow in the closing weeks of the season, according to a statement on the club website (www.chelseafc.com).
If has been suggested to the Blues boss he is maybe concerned the team’s leading scorer, who has 18 for the season, has added four of those in 2017 with the most recent a month ago, but this far from the case.
“I am not concerned about this,” insists Conte. “It can happen and for me the most important thing is he is showing great commitment and great behaviours during the games. He is doing what I want which is very important. In a lot of circumstances he was unlucky but a player like Diego Costa can score in every game, and I am sure he can do this.”
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Conte went on to explain what strengths the centre-forward provides when he is not scoring goals.
“His experience and his personality are very important for the team. The goals are very important for a forward, but I think that he knows that for us, he is an important player if he scores or if he doesn’t score. He must continue with his commitment and I am sure he will score.”
“I need to speak with one of my players if I am not happy with his commitment or behaviours, but not if he is not scoring. Diego is playing good football and I repeat, he is doing what I want.”
The Blues have a seven-point advantage over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the English Premier League but have a tricky away trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, a game in which they will require their Brazilian-born hitman to be at his snarling best.
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