Gudjohnsen, Zola give Chelsea lead

Chelsea 2, Newcastle 0 (half-time)

Eidur Gudjohnsen headed his first goal of the season and Gianfranco Zola claimed his fifth from a wickedly deflected free-kick as Chelsea twice breached the Newcastle defence in the first 25 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Alan Shearer and Gary Speed were both booked in a frustrating first half for the visitors who believed the Speed challenge on Zola which brought the second goal was not even worthy of a free-kick let alone referee Barry Knight’s yellow card.

But there was little doubt that vibrant Chelsea deserved their advantage against a side who have not beaten them in the previous 10 meetings.

Gudjohnsen almost struck a third for Chelsea after 35 minutes when Zola prodded on a short free-kick from Frank Lampard. The Icelander shot powerfully on the run across the diving body of Given but his effort finished just wide of the post.

Solano had his name taken for a reckless lunge at Mario Stanic who was filling in well in an unaccustomed left-back role for Chelsea who were without both the injured Graeme Le Saux and Celestine Babayaro.

And there was a brief appeal for a penalty when William Gallas went forward and then down in the box after racing between Olivier Bernard and Dabizas. Referee Knight was well placed – and unmoved.

With five minutes to the break, Dyer seemed to have a perfect opening to reduce Newcastle’s deficit when Bellamy played him through the middle, but the pace was just not there for the England midfielder and he was eventually overhauled and tackled by Mario Melchiot.