NEWCASTLE'S Carling Cup dreams were shattered last night as, for the second time in four seasons, Chelsea left it late before dumping them out of the competition.

Three years ago, it was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink doing the damage in the 90th minute and, while United lasted a little bit longer this time around, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Arjen Robben pounced to similar effect in either period of extra-time.

Gudjohnsen had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he guided a crisp finish beyond Shay Given, while Robben had also started on the bench before he settled a keenly-fought cup tie that had looked too close to call for the previous hour and a half.

Newcastle had their chances - primarily through the free-kicks of Laurent Robert - but, with Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert largely silenced by the imperious John Terry, the visitors prospered thanks to two pieces of clinical finishing.

That killer instinct has taken them to the top of the Premiership and, while they were far from fluent for large periods of last night's game, their ability to pinch results is why they, and not the Magpies, continue to fight on four fronts.

With Sunday's capitulation to Fulham still fresh in the memory, Graeme Souness opted to make wholesale defensive changes.

Titus Bramble and Ronny Johnsen both returned to the starting line-up, with Andy O'Brien shuffled to right back to halt the marauding runs of Damien Duff.

O'Brien's error had led to Fulham's second on Sunday but, if Souness thought a change of position would aid the Irish international on his 150th start in black and white, he was given a rude awakening after just two minutes.

With an otherwise ineffectual Duff applying the pressure, O'Brien's woefully under-hit back-pass left Mateja Kezman galloping clear but, after rounding Given, the Chelsea striker could only roll the ball across the face of goal from a wide position.

Kezman was a thorn in Newcastle's side last season - scoring in both legs as the Magpies knocked PSV Eindhoven out of the UEFA Cup - and most of Chelsea's first-half play revolved around the Serb dragging one of United's centre-halves to the touchline as either Duff or Joe Cole sought to exploit the gap that was left in the middle.

The home side were more interested in trying to get Robert into a wide position and, while the left winger flitted in and out of the game, most of United's best moments had him at their core.

His 25th-minute cross was chested into Kluivert's path by Craig Bellamy, only for the Dutch international to fire straight at Carlo Cudicini's midriff when well placed.

Sir Bobby Robson always claimed that getting the best out of Robert was his biggest challenge as Newcastle boss and, while Souness is all too aware of the Frenchman's defensive limitations, he too sees him as a potent attacking force.

Last night's display was full of the infuriating inconsistencies that make Robert such an enigmatic figure, with pinpoint passes being followed by the usual half-hearted attempts at tracking back.

But, after almost winning a penalty when he was felled by Glen Johnson on the edge of the box, the French international combined with compatriot Olivier Bernard to forge United's best first-half opening nine minutes before the break.

The pair's one-two left Bernard galloping into the 18-yard box, and Cudicini was at full stretch as he tipped the full-back's low drive around the post.

Half-time saw the introduction of Kieron Dyer for the concussed Nicky Butt and, while the midfielder lacked some of his customary zip following a lengthy injury lay-off, his presence gave the home side an extra attacking dimension in the middle of the park.

They still struggled to build up a head of steam - partly through tight Chelsea marking, but also through a series of niggling fouls from the visitors, with Cole in particular flying in left, right and centre amidst the mounting tension.

The former West Ham midfielder threw himself around with uncustomary zeal before he was hauled off in the 66th minute, and it took a magnificent last-ditch tackle from Bramble to thwart him as he ghosted into the penalty area on the hour mark.

Ironically, his final contribution almost helped give Chelsea the lead as his slide-rule pass released Kezman on the right flank.

His ball sent Tiago into the heart of the area but, after leaving O'Brien sprawling, the Portuguese midfielder side-footed past the left-hand post with the goal at his mercy.

After gathering all of his players together in a huddle following the full-time whistle, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho waited just seven minutes before throwing Gudjohnsen into the fray and, just three minutes later, the deadlock was broken.

United conceded possession from their own throw-in and, after receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Gudjohnsen took one touch before crashing a crisp low drive that flew past Given and in off the left-hand post.

Robben made things safe, cutting in from the left flank and waltzing past Bramble before steering a deft finish across a helpless Given.

Result: Newcastle United 0 Chelsea 2.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.