Battering at the Bridge as Chelsea leave Magpies black and blue

Chelsea 5 Newcastle 0

Just as the Italian giants were emphatically beaten on Tuesday, losing 4-0, the 10-man Tynesiders were torn to shreds by the buoyant Blues in a 5-0 rout. And, embarrassingly for United boss Bobby Robson, this game was over as a contest before referee Paul Durkin had even put the half-time whistle to his lips.

Another Chelsea victory - their ninth in 12 league games - keeps Ranieri’s men alongside Arsenal and Manchester United in the thick of the Premiership title race.

Glen Johnson started the landslide, hammering home his first ever league goal in the 25th minute. Further Chelsea goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes effectively clinched victory.

Hernan Crespo tapped in from six yards, and Frank Lampard drilled home from the penalty spot after Adrian Mutu was hauled back by Andy O’Brien, sent off for a professional foul. The rout was completed by Damien Duff in the 78th minute and Eidur Gudjohnsen six minutes later.

While Bobby Robson has no doubts about Chelsea’s championship credentials, Ranieri will not back his players to end the Londoners’ 48-year wait for the crown.

“I’ll believe the title when I touch it, not before,” he said. “Players can dream, but the manager must have the right balance. We were very close to Arsenal and Manchester United on Christmas Day last year, but then said goodbye.

“It was important for us to win today because it’s not easy when Arsenal continue to win. I’m pleased, our foundations are good, and it’s important I have a lot of champions in my team.”

Robson, however, has no doubts over Chelsea’s ability to wrestle the Premiership silverware from the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.

“I think Chelsea are good enough,” he said. “They’re a tremendous threat to Manchester United and Arsenal because they have fine players and play with nice shape and style. Stamford Bridge is full of excitement, so good luck to them.”

Sir Bobby gained first-hand experience of the momentum of the Chelsea juggernaut as his side slumped to their widest margin of defeat since the 5-0 battering by Arsenal at Highbury in December 2000.

United were toothless in attack in the absence of Alan Shearer, a late withdrawal with a chest infection that robbed him of his voice.

Robson was fuming about O’Brien’s dismissal.

“It cost us the game,” he said.

“Andy’s very unhappy about the decision. He felt it was harsh, as Mutu overran the ball. The linesman gave the penalty, and Andy’s convinced that, if there was a slight tug, it was outside the box. Andy swears by it.

“I had a word with Mr Durkin at half-time and told him, politely, I was unhappy with his decision. It was a double blow for us, as it was a penalty and a sending-off. We had no chance then, and it killed the game for us as it was 3-0 at half-time.

“So it’s been a miserable, nightmare afternoon. I hate the sound of 5-0. We thought we might turn them over, but they did it to us.”

The presence of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who speculation continues to link with Ranieri’s job, in the Stamford Bridge directors’ box yesterday would have given Ranieri a further source of satisfaction on a day to remember for the Blues.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Johnson (Huth 89), Gallas, Terry, Bridge, Veron, Lampard, Makelele, Duff, Crespo (Gudjohnsen 68), Mutu (Cole 64).

NEWCASTLE: Given, Hughes, O’Brien, Bramble, Bernard, Speed, Bowyer, Jenas, Robert (LuaLua 76), Viana (Stephen Caldwell 45), Ameobi.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).