A STIRRING second half display from Newcastle United ensured their first match of the season against Chelsea did not end in defeat.

Bobby Robson's United side had to cope with a barrage of attacks from the hosts for much of the game, but Clarence Acuna popped up to grab a deserved equaliser 13 minutes from time.

Chelsea's flying winger Boudewijn Zenden had earlier given the home side a lead with an effort Shay Given will not want to remember, and the only result that looked on the cards was a win for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

However, despite the attempts of former Newcastle target Zenden and right midfielder Jesper Gronkjaer, Newcastle rallied and escaped from London with a point.

The Geordies may still not have won in the capital on their past 25 visits, but Robson will return north taking plenty of positive signs.

Magpies manager knew the clash was going to be a tough opener against the Blues, who are hoping to end this season with a Champions League place at least.

With a crippling injury list including Alan Shearer ad Kieron Dyer, Robson was also without influential midfielder Gary Speed and he was replaced by Argentinian Christian Bassedas.

The most notable absentee from the match-day squad was Nolberton Solano. The Peruvian was late returning from international duty and it was understood to have annoyed Robson, but the player was in attendance to warm up with the rest of the Newcastle team before kick-off.

The game had not even reached the two minute mark when the first over-enthusiastic challenge left Bassedas needing treatment from Graeme Le Saux's efforts.

Newcastle started brightly with Laurent Robert looking sharp on the left, but when Emanuel Petit broke with the ball and fed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink danger signs were there. The Dutchman's cross deflected off Nikos Dabizas for a corner.

The flag-kick was quickly taken to Zenden, who cut inside Acuna and shot straight into the arms of Given, but the Irishman somehow allowed the ball to go straight through his legs and behind the line for the game's first goal on eight minutes.

Given made amends for the howler moments later when he saved incredibly from defender John Terry's effort inside the six-yard box.

A Robert free-kick and a Bellamy shot were both well saved by Ed de Goey as Newcastle pressed, but Chelsea continued to look dangerouson the break.

Debutant Zenden, who turned down a move to Newcastle before signing for the Blues, was continuing to impress and his ball skills led to both Robert Lee and Aaron Hughes being shown the yellow card.

Shortly before half-time the visitors were given a rare respite and nearly snatched an equaliser, but Dabizas could not get on the end of a Robert cross.

But normal service soon resumed with Zenden and Dane Gronkjaer causing any amount of problems down their respective flanks.

Newcastle, with one eye on Tuesday's Intertoto Cup final with Troyes at St. James' Park, suffered more pressure during the early exchanges of the second half, but it was in fact they who went closest to scoring.

Robert, who was not having a major impact on the clash, showed his class to beat both Gallas and Melchiot close to the goal-line and the Frenchman's low cross was cleared only as far as the advancing Lee, but the skipper's right-foot shot went narrowly wide.

Newcastle began to enjoy more of the possession and their push for an equaliser finally paid off in the 77th minute when Acuna pounced on a spilled Robert shot from distance after Bassedas had taken a short free-kick.

Chelsea had further efforts to win the game as the clock ticked down but Newcastle deserved the credit for the way they clawed their way back into the clash, after Claudio Ranieri's men dominated for the first hour.

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