Chelsea match-winner Kai Havertz believes the victory over Newcastle has given the whole club a lift and hopes he was able to put some smiles on the faces of the fans following his last-minute winner.
The German has now netted a goal in three successive Premier League games, after he took Jorginho’s lofted pass down excellently before firing the ball home.
Amid uncertain times for the club off the pitch, the striker admits he and his team-mates wanted to represent the club as best as they could out on the grass.
‘We - the players - are in a good situation, really, we feel bad for everyone else. We know this situation is not all about football, there are a lot more important things than us right now but we try to put smiles on faces,’ Havertz said post-match.
‘When you see the emotion that came out after this goal, it is what everyone needed today. We are very privileged to do our job, a lot of people in the world are feeling a lot worse than us. We are just trying to do our job, be professional and give them a good feeling.
‘It's tough but for us we play, we are privileged to train, do what we love. It's hard for everyone, not only for us, but everyone at the club, the fans,’ he added.
‘Also the workers, the Academy and eveyone at the club. We try to give everything and if we can give them moments like this it's nice, to give them a good feeling.’
Newcastle proved a stubborn test and were resolute in defence throughout, limiting Chelsea to minimal goalscoring opportunities, and Havertz has revealed what was said in the dressing room at the interval as we went in search of a winner.
‘For Newcastle it would have been a nice afternoon to get the result [a draw],' he added. 'They always tried to frustrate us.
‘At half-time we spoke about staying positive, staying calm and trying to play our football. In the end, this was the best result we can have. Everyone enjoyed this last minute, for players and fans it was a nice feeling,’ the German added.
Havertz now has a combined nine goals and assists in 10 starts for the Blues in 2022 and our number 29 said one of the overriding emotions when the ball hit the back of the net was relief.
‘It was amazing to score like this,' Havertz said of his game. 'It was a very tough game and they made life hard for us. It was tough up front as they had big defenders, to block or foul us. In the end, it's a brilliant win for us.’