This article is part of Football FanCast's In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets...

There is plenty to be positive about at Stamford Bridge at the moment.

Although it took them a while to take the lead, Chelsea grabbed all three points against Newcastle United on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 victory. Marcos Alonso netted the only goal of the game with less than 20 minutes left on the clock.

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Manager Frank Lampard will be particularly happy with the way his side defended. The Blues didn't concede a single shot on target throughout the match, and bossed the game with 71% possession to 29%. At the heart of the defence, Kurt Zouma lined up alongside Fikayo Tomori, and had one of his most memorable games in a Chelsea shirt.

The France international was a rock, putting in one of the stand-out performances on the day. Defensively, he made three clearances, two interceptions and three tackles. Of the latter, only Jorginho and DeAndre Yedlin managed more. He also intervened as the last man on one of the few occasions the Toon found themselves in a dangerous position.

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In the air, he dominated, winning six of the nine aerial battles he contested. No-one managed more. On the ground, too, he won 75% of the clashes he took part in, whilst he lost possession on just seven occasions. For context, Mateo Kovacic, who played just 48 minutes, did so eight times.

His passing ability was impressive, too. The 24-year-old found a teammate 94% of the times he attempted to do so, which was more than any other player on the pitch.

There is soon to be plenty of competition for a place at centre-back for Chelsea. Antonio Rudiger, the Blues' most senior central defender, is now back in training following a groin injury he suffered against Wolves last month, and the Germany international, valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, would normally be expected to come back into the side as soon as he is fit and ready.

This performance from Zouma though will surely give Frank Lampard something to think about as he plans his side for coming matches, and could potentially be a worry for any big Rudiger fans out there.