JUST as "1-0 to the Arsenal'' became a mantra for glory in north London, so "2-1 to Newcastle'' could become an anthem of celebration on Tyneside.

Implausible as it may seem, the Magpies' gung-ho days might finally be over, sacrificed in the pursuit of the silverware they crave.

Unitl now, manager Sir Bobby Robson has largely carried on the cavalier approach so beloved by one of his recent predecessors.

Kevin Keegan's bold policy almost paid off, but things are now changing at St. James' Park.

This was Newcastle's seventh 2-1 home victory in all competitions this season, and Robson stressed: "Sometimes you have to learn that 2-1 is enough.

"We've learned how to win a tight game narrowly. You can be a bit kamikaze and lose, but all the top clubs know how to win 1-0 or 2-1 - they don't go charging around all over the place trying to get three or four goals. We're learning and this was a mammoth victory.''

Newcastle's first success over bogey team Chelsea in 12 attempts and nearly five years in League and Cup, took them level on points with second-placed Manchester United - and Sir Alex Ferguson's side still have to visit Tyneside.

The Magpies now have a seven-point cushion between themselves and Chelsea, with a game in hand, in the chase for Champions League qualification.

This was the 20th time Newcastle have emerged unbeaten immediately after European competition.

"It's an incredible statistic,'' said Robson, "and to be equal with Man. United on points is wonderful. We've made fantastic strides in the three years I've been here. We're getting closer to them and better all the time.''

Such is the strength in depth of the squad Robson has assembled that he was able to make six changes to the side who beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 here in the Champions League, and still grind out a vital victory.

Jonathan Woodgate made a sound debut following his £9m move from Leeds, playing alongside the recalled Andy O'Brien at the heart of defence.

Robson admitted that O'Brien "got the shock of his life'' when he was omitted for the visit of Leverkusen, but stressed: "It's a different game now, with subs, big squads and players have to understand that, for the benefit of the team, sometimes they can't play.

"Jonathan has had a quiet but solid debut; he's been injured and hasn't played competitively for seven weeks and he'll get better. For Titus Bramble not to have played in this game is questionable, but I run a nice ship and I know no-one will let me down.

"Andy wasn't dropped the other night. He had a good match at Leeds against Alan Smith, one of England's most combative players, and Andy battered him.

"He got the shock of his life when I left him out against Leverkusen, because he probably felt he played so well against Leeds that I couldn't leave him out.

"We've learned how to win by using the squad. We couldn't have made half a dozen changes three years ago and done this.''

Robson revelled in a battle of wits with Chelsea counterpart Claudio Ranieri. By the end of the game, the Italian coach had deployed five attacking players in a desperate attempt to rescue a point, while Robson finished with six defenders on the field.

"I liked what he did and I applaud him for that - it was a test for us and we passed the test because we won the match,'' said Robson, who acknowledged his side "got a break'' with an own-goal opener in the 31st minute from the most unlikely source.

Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's attacking instincts betrayed him as he mis-cued an attempted clearance from a corner to concede another flag-kick.

Nolberto Solano played it short to Hugo Viana and received a return ball to cross to the six-yard box where Hasselbaink headed beyond bemused goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

Before then, Hasselbaink had been booed by the home fans every time he took a corner himself; when Chelsea won another six minutes later, he was cheered.

But the Dutchman had the last laugh as his flag-kick was headed out by Aaron Hughes and Frank Lampard connected with an adroit volley to equalise.

It needed further feats of skill from Viana and Olivier Bernard to restore Newcastle's lead in the 53rd minute.

Portuguese star Viana delightfully delayed his delivery to Bernard with a little feint, and the overlapping Frenchman finished cleverly by chipping the ball over Cudicini from close range, for his second goal of the season.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given had to perform a fine save from a Lampard header two minutes later, but the Magpies' resolve saw them home.

"We've had a great response from the players since we lost at Wolverhampton in the FA Cup - they've been terrific,'' said Robson. "They know they let the club down and I steamed into them.''

Now it's full steam ahead for Newcastle after nine Premiership games without defeat, as they cling to the belief that title-holders Arsenal can be caught.

Result: Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 1.

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