Chelsea blow as Tammy Abraham limps off against Newcastle over ankle injury with Olivier Giroud replacing him

TAMMY ABRAHAM was forced off injured against Newcastle after he deliberately attempted to win a penalty, claims Gary Neville.

The Blues striker thought he had won a spot-kick when he took a nasty tumble after being felled by Jamaal Lascelles in the box.

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Tammy Abraham was forced off injured vs Newcastle but Gary Neville says he was playing for a foulCredit: PA:Press Association

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Abraham was left writhing in pain on the turfCredit: PA:Press Association

But replays showed the England forward appear to step across the defender before Lascelles got a vital touch on the ball.

Nothing was given, but the striker felt the lasting effect.

Abraham tried to continue, but was withdrawn for Olivier Giroud minute later.

The Frenchman didn’t take too long to make his mark on the game, giving his side the lead on the half hour mark, his tenth of the season.

But Neville didn’t have much sympathy for Abraham as he analysed the challenge on Sky Sports at half-time.

He said: “We’ve seen this time and time again where players don’t play the ball, they try and encourage the penalty and want the foul.

“Watch Tammy Abraham’s right foot… he steps right into and unnatural position because he wants Lascelles to come through the back of him.

“Rather than play the ball where he could have got a penalty anyway, or might have scored a goal, he ends up getting himself hurt.”

Fellow forward Timo Werner put Chelsea in cruise control on 39 minutes, when he was in the right place at the right time to tap home at the back stick following a corner.

The effort was just Werner’s fifth in the Premier League, and his first in 100 days in the competition.

Despite Abraham’s injury, Tuchel will feel pleased with his striker options.

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Homegrown star Abraham was subbed for Giroud on 19 minutesCredit: EPA

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Frenchman Giroud grabbed his opportunity from the benchCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

Werner’s effort saw him join Giroud on 10 goals in all competitions, despite his lengthy league drought.

And Abraham himself has notched 12.

The 2-0 win saw Chelsea go fourth in the Premier League ahead of Liverpool and West Ham, who earned a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at the London Stadium earlier on Monday.

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Timo Werner squirmed the ball into the back of the netCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail Chelsea boss Tuchel warns Hakim Ziyech must adapt to the Premier League