The match began on a rainy evening at Stamford Bridge, with the home side putting pressure onto Steve McClaren’s team right from the start.
After only 4 minutes of play, Chelsea broke the deadlock through Diego Costa’s 10th goal of the season. Willian played the Spaniard through into the box, where the center forward gets well on the end of the pass despite Steven Taylor tracking him behind, and clinically finishes the ball into the net with his first touch to put the Blues 1-0 ahead!
The home side got lucky as after only eight minutes into the game, Chelsea doubled their lead. With Newcastle playing through the back, Aarons misplaces his pass completely, giving the ball away to Pedro at half-way line, sending the winger on a break-away which he finishes coolly to beat Elliot for the second time in the game.
Chelsea were on the driver’s seat throughout the first 20 minutes, and got further away from the away side by scoring their third of the night after 16 minutes of play.
Chelsea’s most effective players of the season, Willian and Costa, complete a quality counter attack with the forward running fast to get away from Coloccini, being unselfish outside the 16-yard box to play the Brazilian horizontally through to tap in his 9th goal of the season with ease, leaving Elliot without a single save in the game so far.
Newcastle kept failing to retain the possession on key areas, letting Chelsea to cause more and more pressure on the away side. Diego Costa really seemed to have re-awakened following Hiddink’s arrive, as the masked Spaniard was the biggest troublemaker for Newcastle defenders Coloccini and Steven Taylor throughout the first half.
Newcastle’s best chance of the game came on the 35th minute through Janmaat’s cross that picked out Wiljandum inside the box. Despite the Dutchmen’s good combination, the former PSV star fails to make a proper contact on the ball, and leaves Courtois trouble-less claiming the ball easily to his grasp.
Terry was subbed off on the 37th minute after an aerial clash with Mitrovic. It didn’t seem too serious of an injury, with the skipper being able to walk himself off. But as the game was totally in Chelsea’s control, was there no reason to take a risk with the player. Left-back Baba Rahman came on to replace the injured Terry, placing Ivanovic on the center back role and Azpilicueta on the right.
Chelsea came close once more before the half-time through Willian’s beautiful free-kick, that was well saved behind by Rob Elliot.
