Premier League - Chelsea frustrated by Newcastle

Eurosport - Sun, 23 Nov 06:33:00 2008

Chelsea missed the chance to move clear at the top of the Premier League after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Jonas Gutierrez, Jon Obi Mikel - 0

Chelsea dominated throughout, swarming midfield and retaining possession with ease as Newcastle struggled to gain a foothold in the match. But Luiz Felipe Scolari's men could find no way past the resolute visitors.

On nine minutes Florent Malouda chipped a fine ball into the path of Frank Lampard, but his header across goal was well saved by Shay Given.

Soon after Jose Bosingwa bombed forward, but Damien Duff slid in to dispossess the full-back on the edge of the Newcastle box.

Malouda was next to threaten, collecting a pass from Deco and ghosting past Fabricio Coloccini and into the box. But his shot under pressure was weak and Given gathered with ease.

Chelsea's best chance of the opening period fell to Ashley Cole just after the half-hour mark. Bosingwa was the architect, curling a fine ball in from the right to find the England full-back unmarked at the far post. Cole could only head the ball back across goal, however, and once again Newcastle survived.

The second half continued on a similar theme. Chelsea had a monopoly on possession and goal-scoring chances, but still the breakthrough eluded them.

On 52 minutes Joe Cole reacted quickest after Anelka's shot was parried by Given, but much to Chelsea's chagrin his tap-in was ruled out for offside against Anelka earlier in the move.

The home side were appealing again 10 minutes later, when Given caught a Lampard free-kick and fell backwards towards the line. The Chelsea players thought the ball had gone in, but replays were inconclusive.

Lampard and Deco both tried their luck from free-kicks, but both found a solid Newcastle wall in their way.

Newcastle barely created anything, but Joe Kinnear - who was awarded another month-long deal after the match - can only have been impressed by his team's defensive concentration and their ability to frustrate Chelsea.

Habib Beye in particular impressed in defence, with Nicky Butt his usual tenacious self in midfield. Michael Owen, returning from injury, was virtually anonymous, but in truth the striker was given precious little to feed on.

Will Tidey / Eurosport

Comment 38 - 57 of 57

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  1. What's all this about Terry moving to City for Robinho. Great move Chelsea. Break up the most successful defense in the Premiership for an overrated prima-donna! The other big 3 teams must be relishing the idea. Keep the thug and grab Owen for peanuts.

    From mongolfcfan, on Sun 23 Nov 11:49PM

  2. #55..typo..who were not in the England Squad*

    From anoushkarm, on Sun 23 Nov 1:27PM

  3. For those who are still moaning about how come some of the English players ie Lampard,J.Cole,Ash Cole,Rooney,Ferdinand,Brown,Hart,Gerard for the Berlin trip and yet except Gerard,played for the w/end EPL get the fact straight..those players were seen by the FA doctor and certified UNFIT to play on that day and were sent home.So stop bragging about why why why these players were available on w/e games. Got it??

    From anoushkarm, on Sun 23 Nov 1:16PM

  4. FAT LUMPARD,,MOST OVER RATED PLAYER EVER,,EVEN MORE THAN BECKS,,BOTH A VERY POOR EXAMPLE OF GERRARD..

    From , on Sun 23 Nov 9:18AM

  5. PLASTIC CHELSKI FC SCUM ,,, WITH NO HISTORY

    From , on Sun 23 Nov 9:16AM

  6. chelsea are the best well done you done your best blues connor johnson terry your the best so is lampard joe ashely drogba chec

    From TRIXIE, on Sun 23 Nov 9:04AM

  7. HOW COME LAMPARD CAN NOT PLAY FOR ENGLAND BUT YET AGAIN PLAYS FOR HIS CLUB.

    From blue eyes, on Sun 23 Nov 8:25AM

  8. Chelsea were AMAZING! at the start of the season but they will not be happy about yesterday 0-0 against Newcastle United at Stanford Bridge. chelsea did really deserve to get a better result. I noticed there was a lot a free-kicks given to Chelsea. Scolari was not very pleased with that result. Newcastle United were happy about the BRILLIANT! result Newcastle did do nice defending. Scolari should think about getting stronger players.

    From Nathan, on Sun 23 Nov 6:50AM

  9. kathy,lamest excuse ever

    From Araw, on Sun 23 Nov 6:14AM

  10. good result for us toon, chelsea cant complain...you could have put many past us today but you didnt, i thought we defended well today and very happy with the point.
    Cant see liverpool have the stamina to keep it up till the end of the season and see chelsea taking the title come the end of the season but today they had the chance to take the win and they didnt, so credit to the toon, collocini man of the match!!
    Geordie born n bread!!!!!

    From Richard F, on Sun 23 Nov 3:22AM

  11. Well done to the Geordie boys.A draw isn't gonna do much harm to our push for the title, but hats off to your defence today were rock solid and should be proud to wear the black and white.

    From terdo@..., on Sun 23 Nov 2:38AM

  12. We love you Newcastle we do, We love you Newcastle we do!!!!!!!!!!!

    From butcher1892, on Sun 23 Nov 1:32AM

  13. they just feel tired of keep on winning and scoring. so, try a draw also not a bad result as next week they chelsea gonna to crush arsenal to pieces.... chelsea 5 vs arsenal 1

    From kathy, on Sun 23 Nov 12:53AM

  14. COME ON NEWCASTLE!!!!! COME ON JOE KINNEAR!!!!! NUFC TILL I DIE!!!!!!

    From dave.durston@..., on Sun 23 Nov 12:05AM

  15. Danny J, you drew. Get over it!! Well done Newcastle

    From Richard, on Sat 22 Nov 11:45PM

  16. I was at Stamford Bridge and it was a cold, cold day, but noone was colder that Frank Lampard, who served up two dives worthy of Olympics swimming gold medals. Towel off Frank, it's over, and it's not the water in your eyes, it's true -- you just drew against 17th ranked Newcastle.

    From Jason, on Sat 22 Nov 10:12PM

  17. STILL ON TOP 4K man u. CHELSEA 4 LIFE

    From henry m, on Sat 22 Nov 10:04PM

  18. Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0 end of discussion

    From Danny J, on Sat 22 Nov 9:57PM

  19. 5434rrrrrr

    From nivek y, on Sat 22 Nov 9:35PM

  20. yes says unlucky. Most days it would end up 4 or 5-0.

    14 on target means the front lne done ok!

    and who u support? if its another of the so called big 4 then chelsea easily performed the best out that lot today

    From yip, on Sat 22 Nov 9:21PM
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