Chelsea fullback Marcos Alonso was delighted to prove the matchwinner in victory over Newcastle United.

The Spaniard struck in the 73rd minute to secure a fifth consecutive win for Frank Lampard's Blues, although the victory owed much to persistence and patience from those within the ranks.

"Newcastle played very compact and it's not easy to find spaces to attack or create chances but I think we played well in the second half. We were so intense and finally got the goal and the three points," said the defender.

"We believed because we knew the game would be like this - we were prepared for this and in the first half maybe we were lacking a bit of patience in the final third but in the end we were happy with the three points and the goals. It was a massive win after the international break."

He also told the club's website: "We have many options in the team and this is good. The team is getting better, we are improving game by game and we need to continue in this way. We are moving the ball quickly, our press is good and we are doing a good job as a team. We have clear ideas and we have to continue in this way."