Sports Direct Arena
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 52,305)
Kalou (89)
Sturridge (90 +2)
-
Off = Frank Lampard
On = Raul Meireles
Substitution 60 mins -
Off = Juan Mata
On = Salomon Kalou
Substitution 74 mins -
Off = Didier Drogba
On = Fernando Torres
Substitution 79 mins -
Daniel Sturridge
Yellow Card 85 mins -
Salomon Kalou
Goal! 89 mins -
Daniel Sturridge
Goal! 90:00 +2 mins -
John Terry
Yellow Card 90:00 +4 mins
Newcastle 0 Chelsea 3
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At the Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle United 0
Chelsea 3 (Drogba 38, Kalou 89, Sturridge 90)
Newcastle United slipped to only their second Premier League defeat of the season, as goals from Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge struck to settle an emotional contest against Chelsea at the Sports Direct Arena.
On an afternoon when the Geordie faithful paid their tributes to Gary Speed, who passed away last weekend, the Magpies did themselves proud, but Chelsea's firepower was just too much for the hosts to contain.
Drogba nodded home Juan Mata's cross with half-time approaching after they had threatened on a number of occasions, and the Blues had also earlier missed a penalty, with Tim Krul saving brilliantly from Frank Lampard.
Substitute Kalou grabbed the second as time ticked away when he slotted home following good work from Fernando Torres, and Sturridge netted in injury-time to put the result beyond any doubt.
Newcastle had their chances though, as Demba Ba twice went close - first forcing Petr Cech into a good stop before later heading against the post. Sammy Ameobi had a shot cleared off the line, while older brother Shola rattled the crossbar from distance.
The game's first incident came on four minutes. Peter Lovenkrands drifted in off the left flank and slipped a ball behind the Chelsea defence, which Ba was on to like a flash.
The front man had just got clear of David Luiz when the centre-half bundled him to the floor 20 yards out. Referee Mike Dean had no hesitation in blowing for a free-kick but Luiz was lucky to escape with only a yellow card, despite being the last man.
If the visitors got their stroke of luck then so did Newcastle with 14 minutes gone. Juan Mata released Daniel Sturridge down the right and the forward strode into the box before being clipped by Yohan Cabaye.
Lampard stepped up to take the resulting spot kick - the fifth United had conceded this term - but Krul was equal to it, diving full-stretch down to his left to fingertip the ball onto the post and away to safety.
Minutes later Sturridge threatened again, striking the same upright with a low effort from a tight angle, before curling a left-footed shot from distance just off target.
In the 22nd minutes Sturridge spurned yet another chance for Chelsea. Once again, Mata released him to race beyond the hosts' defence, but Krul got down well to smother his attempt which would have been heading for the far corner.
Chelsea had created the majority of the openings in the early stages, but United quickly showed they could mix it with the London side. Lovenkrands wriggled free down the left and delivered a ball for Ba to acrobatically flick goalwards, and only a fine stop from Petr Cech prevented the Senegalese striker from breaking the deadlock.
The Magpies were dealt a huge blow on 28 minutes when captain Fabricio Coloccini hobbled off, to be replaced by James Perch. and Chelsea set about instantly trying to take advantage, with a last-ditch tackle from Ryan Taylor preventing Didier Drogba from stroking home.
But the action was soon back up the other end. Ba got on the end of Danny Guthrie's cross to head against the post, and then John Terry - attempting to clear - could only strike the ball into Luiz, with it dropping agonisingly inches wide.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through Drogba, and it was the simplest of goals. Ashley Cole's throw-in found Mata, who dinked a cross to the near post, where Drogba had nipped ahead of Perch to nod into the top corner.
Krul had to be at his best again straight after, denying Sturridge once more as the youngster threatened to double Chelsea's advantage, and that proved to be the final change of the half.
United boss Alan Pardew made a switch at the break, replacing Hatem Ben Arfa with Shola Ameobi as the hosts reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, and the big front man had an immediate impact, offering an added aerial presence and physical threat to the forward line.
On 52 minutes Drogba should have done better when he fired wide, having chested down Branislav Ivanovic's deep cross, before a crazy 30 seconds in which a chance fell at either end.
First, Drogba headed Cabaye's corner against his own crossbar, under pressure from Ba, only for Chelsea to clear the ball, break at pace and Krul save superbly one-on-one to deny Ramires.
It was end-to-end stuff and Ameobi wriggled free of Oriol Romeu's challenge before drilling a low 25-yard strike narrowly wide, and it wasn't long before his younger brother Sammy was thrown into the fray in place of Lovenkrands.
And the teenager almost equalised within three minutes of his introduction. Cech spilled a deflected Danny Simpson cross from the right, and Ameobi fired a left-footed volley goalwards, but Chelsea skipper John Terry was on hand to clear off the line.
Sammy set the tone and Shola soon followed, working a yard of space on the edge of the box and firing past the grasp of Cech but rattling the thumping against the crossbar, with his sibling finding the keeper equal to his rebound effort.
With six minutes remaining Ba skewed a left-footed shot well wide after the visitor's defence had misjudged Steven Taylor's long ball forward, and Newcastle began to apply some late heavy pressure.
But Chelsea were always going to be dangerous on the break, and so it proved in the 89th minute when substitute Salomon Kalou doubled their advantage. Fernando Torres forced his way into the box before teeing up the forward, who slotted home, and deep into injury-time Sturridge finally got his goal making it 3-0 to the visitors.
Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c) (James Perch 28), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Peter Lovenkrands (Sammy Ameobi 71); Hatem Ben Arfa (Shola Ameobi 46); Demba Ba
Subs not used: Steve Harper, Davide Santon, Dan Gosling, Leon Best
Chelsea (4-3-3): Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, John Terry (c), Ashley Cole; Ramires, Oriol Romeu, Frank Lampard (Raul Meireles 60); Daniel Sturridge, Didier Drogba (Fernando Torres 79), Juan Mata (Salomon Kalou 74)
Subs not used: Ross Turnbull, Jose Bosingwa, Ryan Bertrand, Florent Malouda
Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral)
Attendance: 52,305 (2,987 Chelsea)
Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea). Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.John Terry(Chelsea) booked for dissent. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Goal by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (18 yards).Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea. Assist (pass) by Ramires(Chelsea) from right channel.
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Salomon Kalou(Chelsea) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Shot by Fernando Torres(Chelsea) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Goal by Salomon Kalou(Chelsea) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea. Assist (pass) by Fernando Torres(Chelsea) from centre of penalty area.
Danny Simpson(Newcastle) booked for dissent.
Defending throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Shot by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar.
Shot by Salomon Kalou(Chelsea) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Fernando Torres(Chelsea) on James Perch(Newcastle). Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) booked for dissent. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Ramires(Chelsea) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by James Perch(Newcastle).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, save (caught) by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Shot by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), hit bar.
Chelsea substitution: Didier Drogba replaced by Fernando Torres (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) on Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Chelsea substitution: Juan Mata replaced by Salomon Kalou (tactical).
Shot by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) volleyed left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), clearance by John Terry(Chelsea).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Juan Mata(Chelsea) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Didier Drogba(Chelsea).
Newcastle substitution: Peter Lovenkrands replaced by Sammy Ameobi (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea). Direct free kick taken right-footed by David Luiz(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Foul by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea).
Attacking throw-in by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle), clearance by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Chelsea substitution: Frank Lampard replaced by Raul Meireles (tactical).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), clearance by Ramires(Chelsea).
Cross by Juan Mata(Chelsea), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.
Defending throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Frank Lampard(Chelsea) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed right. Shot by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) drilled left-footed from right channel (18 yards), missed right.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Didier Drogba(Chelsea). Shot by Ramires(Chelsea) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Corner from left by-line taken short left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) right-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Juan Mata(Chelsea). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle), shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea).
Shot by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Hatem Ben Arfa replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), clearance by John Terry(Chelsea).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Shot by Juan Mata(Chelsea) left-footed from right channel (18 yards), blocked by James Perch(Newcastle).
Foul by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) on Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Petr Cech(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Didier Drogba(Chelsea), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea), resulting in ball out of play.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea) to centre, save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Petr Cech(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Juan Mata(Chelsea), headed goal by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) (top-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea. Assist (cross) by Juan Mata(Chelsea) from left wing.
Attacking throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Cross by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea), resulting in open play.
Shot by Juan Mata(Chelsea) left-footed from right channel (18 yards), blocked by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), hit post. Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Oriol Romeu(Chelsea). Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), over the bar.
Cross by Frank Lampard(Chelsea), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Oriol Romeu(Chelsea) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Foul by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) on Ramires(Chelsea). Free kick crossed left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea) from right wing, clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Juan Mata(Chelsea).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea) to centre, clearance by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea) to near post, clearance by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle).
Cross by Juan Mata(Chelsea), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Newcastle substitution: Fabricio Coloccini replaced by James Perch (injury).
Cross by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle), shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Petr Cech(Chelsea). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by John Terry(Chelsea).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right.
Defending throw-in by Branislav Ivanovic(Chelsea).
Shot by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), hit post. Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata(Chelsea) to centre, save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), clearance by Oriol Romeu(Chelsea).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by David Luiz(Chelsea).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Didier Drogba(Chelsea). Placed penalty taken right-footed by Frank Lampard(Chelsea) (bottom-right of goal), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).Newcastle 0-0 Chelsea.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), save (caught) by Petr Cech(Chelsea).
Didier Drogba(Chelsea) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Oriol Romeu(Chelsea) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Daniel Sturridge(Chelsea), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by John Terry(Chelsea). Foul by Didier Drogba(Chelsea) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by David Luiz(Chelsea) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). David Luiz(Chelsea) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel (20 yards), hit wall.
Defending throw-in by Ashley Cole(Chelsea).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) on Didier Drogba(Chelsea). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ramires(Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.