AT the moment, a break for the World Cup is the only thing that can half Newcastle United’s progress.

Settled in third position, just two points adrift of reigning champions Manchester City, Eddie Howe’s Magpies side have still only tasted defeat once this season.

Their latest success saw them sweep aside a Chelsea side that started the season with ambitions of reclaiming their Premier League title, with a 1-0 win at a buoyant St James’ Park coming courtesy of a superb second-half finish from Joe Willock.

Willock swept home a clinical first-time strike after Miguel Almiron dribbled infield from the right-hand side, and with Newcastle’s defence claiming yet another clean sheet, their fourth in the last six league games, the result was never really in doubt.

Last season, it took the Magpies until March 10 to reach the 30-point mark. This term, they have made it by mid-November.

By the end of today’s game, they were more than worthy winners, gradually building momentum after a slow start that initially saw both teams struggle to carve out clear-cut chances.

There was only one shot on target from either side before the break, and even that was a tame affair, with Armando Broja turning in the area before drilling a weak effort straight at Nick Pope.

Almiron came reasonably close with a first-time volley that whistled over the crossbar – an inch or two lower, and Newcastle’s in-form forward might well have been adding to his list of sensational strikes – but with Chris Wood unable to replicate the absent Callum Wilson’s movement in the final third, the Magpies’ attack was clunky rather than cutting for most of the evening.

Even Kieran Trippier’s lung-bursting runs down the right were nowhere near as effective as they have been in recent weeks, although the England full-back almost set up an opener with a cross in the early stages of the second half. Sean Longstaff’s initial effort was saved by Edouard Mendy, and Bruno Guimaraes’ follow-up strike was blocked by Mateo Kovacic.

At least Newcastle were gradually building up a head of steam, and their growing dominance was rewarded midway through the second half.

Almiron turned provider rather than scorer as he cut in from the right, and after the Paraguayan laid the ball into his path, Willock swept home a superb first-time finish from the edge of the box.