After a goalless first half, Eden Hazard fired Chelsea in front from the spot after Fabian Schar tripped Marcos Alonso in the box.
Joselu equalised with a brilliant header less than 10 minutes later – a goal which infuriated the visitors as they claimed Olivier Giroud was fouled in the build-up.
But Chelsea got back in front with a fortuitous goal four minutes later after DeAndre Yedlin – who appeared to elbow Giroud before Newcastle’s equaliser – put the ball into the back of his own net.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez had played a dogged 5-4-1 formation in an effort to shut out his former club.
And the defensive move came as a surprise to Blues boss Sarri.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
“I have never seen a Rafa Benitez side play with five defenders,” Sarri told Sky Sports.
“I think it is very difficult to play here for every team – not only us. We were a bit unlucky when they scored to make it 1-1.
“The match was very difficult and it was impossible to have space. We were good, better in the second half, but it was very difficult.”
It took over an hour of play for Chelsea to break the deadlock and the goal came from the penalty spot after Schar was deemed to have fouled Alonso in the area.
On Chelsea’s penalty Sarri said: “I don’t know I was far from the incident and I am not the referee, and I don’t want to be a referee either.”
Hazard, who started for the first time this season following an extended break after the World Cup, buried the penalty and Sarri was impressed by the forward’s performance against the Magpies.
“Eden (Hazard) has played very well but maybe it was better if he played for only 75/80 minutes, but (Mateo) Kovacic asked me to be replaced so it was not possible,” he added.
Hazard meanwhile, believes his side played very well against the resilient hosts.
“When they scored, I think everyone was thinking of a draw,” Hazard said.
“But we are Chelsea, we never give up. We created a lot of chances and did very well today.”
Chelsea’s win puts them second behind Liverpool in the Premier League table.