Magpies slump to Stamford Bridge defeat

NEWCASTLE’S winless run under caretaker boss John Carver continued as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The final result was somewhat harsh on the Magpies, who were the better side throughout the first half and might well have gone ahead themselves when Moussa Sissoko fired against the woodwork.

However, Oscar opened the scoring after Willian caught the Newcastle defence flat-footed with a short corner, and with Chelsea gradually moving through the gears in the second half, Diego Costa added a well-taken second.

Carver, who was been told he is likely to remain in charge for next weekend’s game against Southampton, continues to search for the first win of his second spell as caretaker, but after last weekend’s tame FA Cup surrender at Leicester, Newcastle at least displayed some fight and energy at Stamford Bridge.

Remy Cabella impressed as he was handed a rare Premier League start, but the visitors ultimately paid a heavy price for failing to translate their first-half superiority into a goal.

Newcastle made seven changes to the side that lined up at Leicester, with all of the players who had controversially missed the trip to the King Power Stadium because of injury returning to the starting line-up.

Carver had insisted his FA Cup changes were made because of medical advice, and the caretaker must have been delighted with the way his players set about the task of taking on a Chelsea side who started the day at the top of the Premier League by virtue of alphabetical order.

Only three minutes had gone when Sissoko fired in the first shot of the afternoon, and while it only resulted in a routine save for Petr Cech, who was preferred to Thibaut Courtois, it served notice of the visitors’ attacking threat.

For half an hour, Newcastle were superb, with Cabella causing all sorts of problems whenever he ran at the Chelsea defence and Ayoze Perez holding the ball up well as a lone striker.

Perez only narrowly failed to connect with a dangerous low cross from Vurnon Anita in the 18th minute, before Cabella waltzed past two defenders moments later, only to see his low shot deflect wide off John Terry.

Terry in particular was struggling to cope with the pace and movement of Newcastle’s attackers, and after he was forced into a foul midway through the first half, Yoan Gouffran fired in a free-kick that was saved by Cech. Paul Dummett reacted quickest to head the rebound back towards goal, but that effort was also parried.

Chelsea’s first effort saw Oscar drill a weak shot well wide, but it was Newcastle who continued to dominate and after Cabella raced past a flat-footed Terry once again, Cech was forced to produce a sprawling save to claw the ball to safety.

Newcastle desperately a goal to confirm their superiority, and they could hardly have come any closer in the 36th minute. With Cesar Azpilicueta lying on the floor injured, Sissoko drove past Terry, only for his fierce rising drive to rebound off the angle of post and crossbar.

It was a crucial moment, as seven minutes later, and Chelsea were in the lead. The opening goal was completely against the run of play, but owed much to some excellent quick thinking from Willian.

With Fabricio Coloccini having run the ball out of play, the Brazilian played a quick corner in to Branislav Ivanovic, and he in turn delivered a low centre that Oscar slotted home at the back post.

Chelsea were fortunate to be ahead at the break, but they began the second half with a fair amount of purpose and were able to celebrate a brilliant second goal shortly before the hour mark.

Eden Hazard chipped the ball into the area, Oscar produced an impudent back-heeled flick into Costa’s path, and the striker hammered a crisp low finish past Tim Krul.

Carver brought on Sammy Ameobi to replace Gouffran, who suffered a knock at the start of the second period, and the substitute’s first act was to deliver a swirling cross that Cech had to tip over the crossbar.

Costa came close to claiming his second goal of the game when he drilled in a goalbound effort that was hooked over the crossbar by a back-tracking Coloccini.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta (Luis 37); Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Ramires 78), Hazard; Costa (Remy 83).

Subs (not used): Courtois (gk), Cahill, Mikel, Drogba.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Colback; Cabella, Sissoko (Riviere 84), Gouffran (Ameobi 63); Perez.

Subs (not used): Woodman (gk), Santon, Haidara, Vuckic, Armstrong.