The 29-year-old custodian continued with his fine start to the season as he helped the Blues to secure vital victory at St. James’ Park

Senegal international Edouard Mendy kept another clean sheet as Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win against Newcastle United in a Premier League match on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who managed 16 clean sheets in his maiden season for the Blues, has now kept six clean sheets in the current campaign after nine top-flight matches.

In the game at St. James’ Park, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was forced to alter his attack with Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, and Mason Mount all ruled out.

Morocco international Hakim Ziyech was the surprise name in the Chelsea team after he came in for Mason Mount, who was not included in the Blues’ matchday squad.

It was Chelsea who were the better side in the fixture but they had to wait until the second half to take the lead when Reece James scored from close range in the 66th minute and he doubled the scores in 77th minute before Jorginho scored the third from the penalty spot in the 81st minute.

Mendy’s first clean sheet this season came in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace, he then followed it up with the 2-0 victory against Arsenal, a 3-0 result against Aston Villa, a 1-0 win against Brentford, and the 7-0 thumping of Norwich City.

In August, Mendy was named goalkeeper of the season for the 2020-21 Champions League after beating off competition from Manchester City’s Ederson and Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois to the award.

Last season, The Lions of Teranga featured 44 times for the Blues and guided them to their Champions League triumph.

In a recent interview, Mendy said he wasn’t too worried about his snub from the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

“I saw the list at the same time as many people,” Mendy said. “I got a lot of messages from people close to me and from some I didn’t even know, so I was really touched by this wave of messages I got, whether it be calls or on social media.

“It’s something that’s really huge, it really touched me to a point I wasn’t expecting. All this affection and recognition is what pushes me to work and continue to get titles with club and country. It’s just happiness and motivation.

“Do I think it’s an injustice? No, I wouldn’t use that word. It’s something that motivates me to go forward, to work and be performant at club level and with my country, and as I said after the game with the national team, it’s the journalists’ freedom of vote and expression, and they vote honourably and conscientiously.”