Newcastle were without Sandro Tonali through illness as Eddie Howe made six changes from the 1-1 draw against Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie.
Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento, Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade and Joe Willock came in for Dan Burn, Will Osula, Kieran Trippier, Anthony Elanga and Joelinton.
Gordon was restored to the starting line-up following his illness in midweek and opened the scoring 18 minutes in when he was unselfishly set up by Willock, who was found in behind the Chelsea defence by Livramento.
VAR then checked for a potential Newcastle penalty when Reece James got in a tussle with Malick Thiaw but it wasn’t given, much to the frustration of the Magpies.
Chelsea saw most of the ball but couldn’t find a way past Newcastle’s defence, who kept their first Premier League clean sheet since the goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 18.
It was three points that saw the Magpies climb up to ninth in the table, two points behind seventh and six behind the top five.
Here are our Newcastle United player ratings:
Made two decent stops to deny Cole Palmer and Liam Delap. Part of a defensive unit that stuck together until the very end.
1. Aaron Ramsdale - 7
Made two decent stops to deny Cole Palmer and Liam Delap. Part of a defensive unit that stuck together until the very end. | AFP via Getty Images
Typically brought a huge amount of energy down the right. Excellent vision to release Joe Willock in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s opener.
2. Tino Livramento - 7.5
Typically brought a huge amount of energy down the right. Excellent vision to release Joe Willock in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s opener. | Getty Images
Bounced back from the disappointment conceding a late penalty in midweek with a rock solid display at Stamford Bridge.
3. Malick Thiaw - 9
Bounced back from the disappointment conceding a late penalty in midweek with a rock solid display at Stamford Bridge. | AFP via Getty Images
Defended brilliantly alongside Malick Thiaw. Read the game well and particularly strong in the air.
4. Sven Botman - 8.5
Defended brilliantly alongside Malick Thiaw. Read the game well and particularly strong in the air. | Getty Images