Chelsea fans noticed what Edouard Mendy did for Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of Newcastle win

 Kepa Arrizabalaga was a surprise inclusion in the Chelsea team against Newcastle United on Monday night.

It's safe to say many expected Edouard Mendy to be in between the sticks at Stamford Bridge, given he has done so ever since returning to the side for the goalless draw away at Manchester United in late October.

However, the Senegal international's 18-game streak was ended against the Magpies with Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel opting to reward Kepa for a strong performance in the FA Cup fifth-round win over Barnsley.

And Kepa responded by keeping his first Premier League clean sheet of the season as the Blues recorded a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner.

But some Chelsea fans have spotted something rather interesting about Kepa's recall.

It has been discussed on Reddit that Mendy leant the Spaniard one of his big towels and that is a theory behind the latter keeping a clean sheet.

u/sjajsnZiyech said: "Kepa borrowing one of Mendy’s big towels. Clean sheet was always a formality."

zapokluLampard said: "Clean towels, Clean sheets, Clean Boys."

Despite keeping a clean sheet on his return to Premier League action, Tuchel has already confirmed that Mendy remains the Blues' first-choice goalkeeper.

"No, Edou is the number one," the German coach told Gary Neville on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show. "This is clear. It was clear before the game and it stays like this.

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"I was very happy that Kepa kept a second clean sheet in a row, it was a moment to let him feel the rhythm and build up his confidence, not only in the cup games but here in a home game at Stamford Bridge.

"This was the moment. It was clear before we hoped for the best performance [for him] and a clean sheet. Edou will be in goal from now on because he’s recovered physically and mentally.

"Right now, today, he is the number one."