Soccer: Chelsea take early lead

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Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle Stamford Bridge 2pm

Zenden 8

The start had been delayed because a technical failure meant the turnstiles on the new £34million stand would not open.

When play got under way, Graeme Le Saux was fortunate to escape a yellow card in the third minute following a high jump with both feet at Christian Bassedas.

But Chelsea were celebrating after only minutes when new boy Zenden fired them into the lead thanks to a howler from Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given.

The Dutch international winger was jeered throughout by the visiting Toon army after turning down a move to St James’ Park to join Chelsea from Barcelona.

Zenden had the last laugh when he collected a short corner, cut in from the right, and drilled in a low shot from 20 yards. Given appeared to have it covered, but he embarrassingly let the ball squirm through his legs and over the line.

Newcastle almost hit back after 12 minutes when de Goey failed to hold a Robert free-kick, but the ball ran behind for a corner as Clarence Acuna followed up.

Given regained some credit two minutes later when he made an important point-blank save from John Terry at the far post following Gianfranco Zola’s free-kick.

In an action-packed opening, de Goey then did well to save from Craig Bellamy, Newcastle’s £6.5million signing from Coventry, after he was put through by Warren Barton.