Jackson put the Blues ahead after just six minutes as he improvised inside the penalty box to guide a low drive from Palmer into the corner of the Newcastle net. Further chances were created but the Blues went into the interval level after Alexander Isak struck late into the first half.

Palmer ensured Pochettino's side responded in fine fashion in the second period, as he drove the ball home from the edge of the box just before the hour mark. Mudryk's moment of magic, as he skipped past two challenges and Martin Dubravka, gave us breathing space.

We still had to survive a nervy finish as Magpies substitute Jacob Murphy's screamer flew past Djordje Petrovic in the 90th minute. But the Blues saw out added time without further drama to put ourselves back in the hunt for a European place.

A flying start

Mauricio Pochettino made two changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Brentford. Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell dropped out to be replaced by Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella. We also reverted to a back four.

A fast start was needed. It arrived and the Blues were ahead inside six minutes. Malo Gusto's positive run forced an opening down the right, with Sven Botman's clearance running straight to Palmer.

Palmer's low shot was flicked goalwards by the perfectly positioned Jackson, sending the ball beyond Dubravka and into the corner of the goal in front of the Shed End.

Newcastle level

The Blues carried real threat in transition for much of the first half, and a pair of swift of counter-attacks resulted in two chances in a minute. First, Sterling's charge through midfield gave Jackson space on the edge of the area but Dubravka did well to hold his stinging shot.

Palmer was next to cause the visitors problems. He cut inside to pick out Enzo Fernandez, whose curled effort went just over the bar. In contrast, Petrovic didn't have a lot to do.

The visitors' only clear-cut chance came when Joe Willock failed to make clean contact with a dangerous cross from the left, instead clearing the crossbar. But the Magpies' first effort on goal drew them level just two minutes before the interval.

A loose ball in midfield wasn't properly dealt with and gave Bruno Guimaraes the chance to push forward. He found Isak, who gave Petrovic no chance with a low finish into the far corner.

Chelsea nearly responded, Jackson putting the ball in the visitors' net, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Reclaiming our lead

Newcastle were first to go close following the restart. Miguel Almiron charged down the Chelsea right and found room to release a shot. Petrovic reacted quickly to push the ball over the crossbar.

Back came the Blues – and back came Palmer. The 21-year-old received the ball on the right, twisted and turned, and flashed the ball across the six-yard box. Conor Gallagher attacked the back post but couldn’t make a connection. It was a let-off for Newcastle, but only a temporary reprieve.

Just before the hour mark, Chelsea re-established a lead. A throw was worked to Enzo and he fired the ball into the feet of Palmer. The England international was given time to turn onto his preferred left foot and drove the ball home from 20 yards.

It was a ruthless finish and our 4,000th league goal at the Bridge.

Grabbing a third

The goal gave Chelsea confidence and an excellent chance to score our third of the evening quickly arrived. A long pass forward was flicked on by Jackson and Sterling was put through on goal. He got the ball under control and was able to round Dubravka.

With Palmer in support, Sterling opted to shoot and was unfortunate to see his effort blocked on the line by the towering presence of Dan Burn, who then threatened at the other end with a header that went wide.

Pochettino opted to make a substitution. Mudryk was introduced for Sterling. There were 20 minutes of the contest remaining. The Ukrainian needed just five to make his impact.

Jackson again proved instrumental in the goal as he did excellently to collect possession on the halfway line and advance into the Newcastle half. His pass infield was collected by Gallagher, but then Mudryk took over.

He danced beyond one challenge, poked the ball through the legs of Fabian Schar, and then skipped beyond Dubravka to score. It was a moment of individual brilliance.

The goal gave Chelsea breathing space, and Pochettino used his bench to keep his side fresh. Cesare Casadei was introduced, then Carney Chukwuemeka.

It didn't stop Newcastle from snatching their second of the contest – a thunderous finish from Murphy after he evaded pressure from Cucurella – but it proved nothing more than a late consolation.

So, victory for the Blues and a much-needed three points. The race for the European places continues to heat up.

What it means

The result leaves us on 39 points, still 11th in the table but only four points behind 7th-placed West Ham United with a game in hand.

What is next

We now turn our attention away from the Premier League back to the FA Cup, with a quarter-final clash against Leicester City next up on Sunday. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is 12.45pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1); Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Gallagher, Palmer (Casadei 84), Sterling (Mudryk 69); Jackson (Chukwuemeka 90+1)

Unused subs: Sanchez, Thiago Silva, Acheampong, Gilchrist, Madueke, Deivid Washington

Scorers: Jackson 6, Palmer 63, Mudryk 76

Booked: Sterling 39, Petrovic 70, Caicedo 71

Newcastle (4-3-3); Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn (C) (Krafth 68); Guimaraes (Miley 80), Longstaff, Willock (White 80); Almiron (Anderson 68), Gordon (Murphy 36), Isak

Unused subs: Karius, Ritchie, Lascelles, Targett

Scorers: Isak 43, Murphy 90

Booked: White 90+6

Referee: John Brooks

Attendance: 38,752