Report By Dr Talal osman Anthony Gordon's goal was the difference as Newcastle United put a dent in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League qualification hopes with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. After starting the 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Tuesday on the bench due to illness, Gordon made his mark upon being restored to a starting line-up that included six changes. The England international was on hand to tap home at the end of a decisive break in the 18th minute – an attacking threat that Chelsea struggled to replicate. Reece James, who signed a new contract until 2032 on Friday, rattled  post with a brilliant free-kick in second-half stoppage time, but the Blues were unable to follow up their victory over Aston Villa last time out with another positive result. Chelsea remain fifth but another disappointing display puts them in danger of falling off the pace in the hunt for European qualification, while Newcastle boosted their own hopes by moving up to ninth. How the match unfolded James blazed over before Alejandro Garnacho, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez all failed to test Aaron Ramsdale in a flurry of chances over the opening 15 minutes. It proved costly for the Blues, who were easily cut open by Tino Livramento's driving run and through-ball that Joe Willock squared for Gordon to slot into an empty net. Newcastle were denied a penalty after James and Malick Thiaw came together in the box and jeers from the home fans greeted the half-time whistle. Liam Rosenior shuffled his pack by replacing Malo Gusto with Liam Delap at half-time and there was an increasing sense of desperation about Chelsea when they attacked. Delap blazed over wildly when the ball sat up nicely for him inside the box and he sent a glancing header wide in the 85th minute. It was James who went closest for the hosts with a free-kick that struck the foot of the upright, but they were unable to salvage a result.