Pedro scores twice as Chelsea shred shambolic Newcastle
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Updated 13/02/2016 at 20:15 GMT
Premier League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 5 (D. Costa 5, Pedro 9, 59, Willian 17, Traore 83) Newcastle 1 (Townsend 90)
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on February
Image credit: AFP
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to 12 games Guus Hiddink as they produced their finest display of the season to sweep aside an abject Newcastle 5-1.
Hiddink remains unbeaten in his second spell as Chelsea's interim manager and his side are now only two points behind Liverpool in mid table and a top six finish for a 20th consecutive season is not beyond them.
Hiddink has managed to get the best out of Diego Costa, who was one of many players whose form dipped alarmingly in Jose Mourinho's latter days at Stamford Bridge.
The Spain striker was a constant menace to Newcastle and got on the scoresheet inside five minutes with a deft and delicate finish after Willian had spotted his run.
Pedro doubled Chelsea's lead after Rolando Aarons gifted him possession, but the Spaniard still had plenty to do and bent a low, early shot inside Robert Elliot's right-hand post.
Diego Costa played a key role in the third, which came in the 17th minute, holding the ball up well and picking out the run of Willian, who had raced 50 yards and finished first time.
Pedro got his second just shy of the hour mark with an assured finish after Cesc Fabregas had picked him out and substitute Bertrand Traore capped the win with a late fifth, his first in the Premier League, before Andros Townsend restored a modicum of pride with a fine late goal, albeit one which served little purpose other than to deny Thibaut Courtois a clean sheet.
Chelsea played with tempo and precision in the final third and, despite a first time injury to captain John Terry, this result will be a timely boost ahead of Tuesday's crunch Champions League test in Paris.
Newcastle, however, were shambolic all over the pitch and the abject nature of the performance will concern Newcastle fans more than the defeat itself, which keeps the Magpies third from bottom.
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Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 13, 2016
Image credit: AFP
KEY MOMENTS
5' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle: Costa gives Chelsea the lead! Willian slides the ball into the striker's path, and he slides to get the slightest touch and divert it into the bottom corner. Lovely finish.
9' GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle: Pedro makes it two! It's a terrible moment for young Aarons, who sells Janmaat short and allows Pedro to nip in, and his lovely early shot nestles in the bottom corner.
17' GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle: Willian makes it three! Costa chases a through ball, holds it up and threads it through to Willian at the far post, and the Brazilian finishes first time at the far post. Newcastle are a shambles.
34' WIJNALDUM CHANCE! Shelvey sets Janmaat free down the right and the Dutchman does well to hook in a cross to Wijnaldum, but he strikes it straight at Courtois.
37' PEDRO MISS! The Spaniard should make it four. Shelvey is caught in possession by Diego Costa, who finds Pedro but the forward's shot is straight at Elliot. He could have squared it back to Costa there.
38' TERRY INJURY - The Chelsea skipper falls awkwardly after a challenge with Mitrovic and is immediately withdrawn. That will worry Guus Hiddink ahead of the big PSG game on Tuesday.
59' GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Newcastle: Pedro makes it four! Fabregas picks him out with a brilliant pass, Pedro darts between Taylor and Janmaat and places his shot into the bottom corner.
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Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 13, 2016
Image credit: AFP
83' GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Newcastle: Traore makes it five! Azpilicueta exchanges passes with Hazard down the right flank before the Spaniard crosses for Traore, who slides in to score his first Premier League goal at the near post.
90' GOAL! Chelsea 5-1 Newcastle: Townsend salvages a little pride for Newcastle. A fine goal as he drills a low shot beyond Courtois from 20 yards. That will annoy the keeper.
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Chelsea's English defender John Terry leaves the pitch after being substituted during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 13, 2016
Image credit: AFP
KEY STATS
Diego Costa has now scored seven goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, after netting just three in his previous 14 this season.
Chelsea have gone ten league games without defeat, although six of those matches have been draws.
Chelsea have scored 4+ goals in a Premier League game for the first time since September 13th 2014.
Newcastle have managed just six goals away from home this season - the fewest of any side in the top four divisions in English football.
TALKING POINT
Terry's injury - Chelsea's skipper was swiftly withdrawn in the 38th minute after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Mitrovic. With Kurt Zouma out for the rest of the season, Chelsea will be desperate not to be without Terry for the trip to Paris. It could be an anxious few days while Chelsea wait for news.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Diego Costa (Chelsea) - A close call between him, Willian and Pedro, but the striker gets it for yet another brilliant striking display. With the huge test that awaits at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, it will warm the hearts of Chelsea fans to see their striker back to his best.
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Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa wears a protective face mask during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 13, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7, Fabregas 7, Matic 7, Pedro 9, Willian 9, Hazard 8, Costa 9. Subs: Baba, Traore, , Remy, Loftus-Cheek.
Newcastle United: Elliot 4, Janmaat 2, Taylor 3, Coloccini 4, Aarons 4, Shelvey 5, Tiote 4, Sissoko 3, Wijnaldum 4, Townsend 4, Mitrovic 5. Subs: Colback 6, Lascelles 5, Doumbia 5.
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