Jorginho has clarified that Reece James did not ask to take Chelsea’s late penalty in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle despite being on a hat-trick.
The Blues dominated their trip to St James’ Park though had to wait until the second half to find a breakthrough as James powered a left-footed effort into the net.
Barely 10 minutes later he scored a near identical effort, this time with his right foot, to put the game to bed for the table-topping London club.
In the 81st minute, Kai Havertz was brought down to give Chelsea the chance of a third goal and usual penalty taker Jorginho stepped up to put away his spot-kick.
But before he took the penalty, the Italian had a chat with James – who was on a hat-trick – though he says the defender did not ask to take the spot-kick and was only offering his support.
‘If he had asked, we would have had a conversation but he didn’t,’ Jorginho told ESPN Brasil after the game. ‘He came over to support me.’
Speaking about James’ opening goal, Jorginho told Chelsea’s website: ‘He’s amazing with both feet, so he opened the game for us and it was great, it was a beautiful goal.’
James, who also scored against Norwich City last week, was happy with his brace, telling BBC Sport: ‘I think the first one was probably the better goal on my weaker foot – it was a good finish.
‘We knew coming here would be a tough game. We had to break them down and it took a lot of time.
‘A lot has happened with their club since the start of the season so you never knew what their approach would be like when things are new.’
Thomas Tuchel said of James’ goals: ‘We don’t need exercise shooting with Reece, he shoots like a horse!’
