Goals:

1-0: Oscar (43, slotted home at the back post after Ivanovic turned Willian’s quick corner across the face of goal)

2-0: Costa (59, drilled home a low finish after Oscar back-heeled Hazard’s chipped pass into his path)

Bookings: Williamson (45, foul), Colback (58, foul), Dummett (65, foul), Matic (71, foul), Oscar (76, foul)

Referee: Roger East (Salisbury) – Annoyed both managerial teams and was probably a bit too fussy in a game that didn’t really warrant as many interventions 5

Attendance: 41,612

Entertainment: ****

 

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1):

Cech 7; Ivanovic 7, Zouma 6, Terry 4, Azpilicueta 5 (Luis 37, 5); Matic 5, Fabregas 6; Willian 6, OSCAR 8 (Ramires 78), Hazard 7; Costa 8 (Remy 83).

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

 

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1):

6 Krul: Provided some much-needed authority on his return from injury, but switched off as Chelsea scored their opener

7 Janmaat: Did pretty well considering he was up against Hazard and got forward effectively as Newcastle dominated the first half

6 Coloccini: Should he have done better as he conceded the corner that led to the first goal? Perhaps he’ll belt the ball harder in future

7 Williamson: One of the centre-half’s better days as he successfully prevented Costa from getting behind him

6 Dummett: Kept Willian quiet for most of the afternoon, but was unable to provide too much attacking support

7 Anita: Kept Fabregas quiet from the base of midfield and was much more of an influence than in many of his games this season

6 Colback: Started brightly and passed the ball well in the first half, but wasn’t anything like as much of an influence after the break

8 CABELLA: Easily his best 90 minutes in a Newcastle shirt as his pace and dribbling ability repeatedly troubled the Chelsea defence

7 Sissoko: Was at the heart of everything Newcastle did well in the first half and rattled the woodwork with a rasping shot

6 Gouffran: Isn’t always the most popular player, but his work rate is a valuable asset and he was influential presence early on

7 Perez: Held the ball up superbly considering he was often isolated and almost connected with a dangerous cross from Anita

 

Subs:

Ameobi (for Gouffran, 63): Delivered one excellent ball into the box, but wasn’t able to alter the flow of the game 5

Riviere (for Sissoko, 84)

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

 

Man Of The Match: OSCAR – Remy Cabella pushed him close, but the Brazilian tilted the game in Chelsea’s favour as he scored one goal and set up the other with a virtuoso back-heel.