NEWCASTLE UNITED'S miserable run continued as they slumped to a deserved 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

Frank Lampard's side extended their scintillating recent form to move top of the table, for a few hours at least.

Timo Werner shrugged off his international embarrassment to inspire – four days after featuring in Germany’s humiliating 6-0 Nations League defeat to Spain – as Chelsea made it five straight wins in all competitions against Steve Bruce’s strugglers.

A 10th-minute own goal by Federico Fernandes helped the visitors on their way before Werner’s brilliant solo charge in the 68th minute cued up the simplest of opportunities for Tammy Abraham to effectively seal victory.

Sean Longstaff’s stunning 30-yard drive which rattled the woodwork proved the only real positive for the home side, who simply struggled to match Lampard’s confident side for much of the afternoon.