Video: Tonali puts Newcastle ahead two minutes against Chelsea | OneFootball

Italy international Sandro Tonali was in the right place at the right time to put Newcastle United 1-0 up against Chelsea in a crucial clash in the race to finish in the Premier League top five.

Tonali scored after just 110 seconds against Chelsea in the early Premier League kick off, which puts Newcastle into third place in the league table if the result stays as it is. Chelsea are fifth as a result.

England international Anthony Gordon was bundled over after a bursting run forwards down Newcastle’s left wing, but with no foul given, the attack was allowed to continue, and Tonali was still up in the area when the cross came in during the second phase.

The former Milan midfielder just had to tap into a gaping net from the edge of the six-yard box to put Newcastle in front.

Watch: Tonali puts Newcastle 1-0 up against Chelsea  in less than two minutes

Where Tonali and Newcastle stand in Champions League race

All of the top five teams in the Premier League this season will qualify for the 2025-26 edition of the Champions League in a race that currently involves Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

As it stands, Liverpool are the only Premier League side to have mathematically confirmed their spot in next season’s Champions League. Arsenal will join them if they win against Sunday in their match that coincidentally happens to be against the champions, Liverpool.

All teams from Newcastle downwards will have to wait until the 37th round of fixtures at the earliest to learn their fate in terms of Champions League qualification.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal as he blows a kiss to the fans during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James’ Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Tonali’s goal against Chelsea means that this is now his outright best season in terms of goal contributions. He is now up to four goals from 34 Premier League appearances, and six goals across all competitions. That tally becomes eight when international goals are factored in.

His best previous seasonal goal tally was five, which he achieved in the 2021-22 season with Milan, with all of those goals coming in Serie A.