Saturday November 19th 2005
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
CHELSEA: Cech, Johnson (Gallas 60), Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Makelele (Essien 13), Lampard, Gudjohnsen, Duff, Joe Cole, Crespo (Wright-Phillips 79).
Subs Not Used: Carlton Cole, Cudicini.
NEWCASTLE UTD: Given, Ramage, Bramble, Boumsong, Babayaro, Solano (Chopra 70), Parker, Bowyer, Emre, N'Zogbia, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Faye, Clark, Brittain.
Att: 42,268
The match turned on a valid penalty appeal in the fifth minute when Terry felled Lee Bowyer. But referee Rob Halsey turned down the appeals and we started to wonder what it was going to take to get a break at this place when Chelsea survived a second penalty scare. Del Horno appeared to handle inside the area as Newcastle gave the champions a few restless moments, but once again the referee was not prepared to take the wrath from the home fans.
Cole put the Londoners in front two minutes into the second half but it was another blunder by a Toon central defender that opened up the game. Titus Bramble gave the ball away to Eidur Gudjohnsen and the Icelandic striker, playing in a midfield role behind Crespo, slotted the ball into the path of Cole who ran on to despatch a right-foot shot into the corner of the net for his fourth of the season.
The goal sent the previously mute home fans into full voice for the first time in the game, and four minutes later the Blues doubled their advantage.
This time the architect was Lampard who provided a trademark pass into Crespo's path after Essien had won the ball in midfield. The Argentine striker checked his run before turning to fire the ball into the top corner to deliver the perfect response to those critics who claim he is unhappy at the club.
Crespo was replaced by Wright-Phillips with just over 10 minutes of the game remaining and, indeed, Chelsea had the last word when Duff burst into the penalty area and his shot was deflected over Given for the third.