Isaac Hayden's dramatic injury-time header earned Newcastle an unlikely three points at St James' Park
Newcastle showed they have the appetite for a scrap in the bottom half of the table as Isaac Hayden's dramatic injury-time header earned a vital win against a dominant Chelsea.
Frank Lampard's side were on top for most of the game but had little to show for it as Tammy Abraham skewed wide from an acute angle and N'Golo Kante's shot was well saved by Martin Dubravka.
Prior to the winner, it was the hosts who came closest to scoring as Joelinton headed against the bar after Federico Fernandez's cross after 22 minutes.
But Steve Bruce's side showed their steel by keeping Chelsea at arm's length with a resolute defensive display.
And when Hayden headed in Allan Saint-Maximin's cross past Kepa Arrizabalaga, it sent St James's Park into raptures as they moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Their only worry was an injury to Jetro Willems, who was carried off in the first half.
For Chelsea, it was another frustrating day during a mixed season under Lampard, who took over in the summer.
It was a first defeat since Boxing Day but they will rue another missed chance to improve their top-four claims after also drawing at Brighton earlier this month.
The Blues remain five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who face Liverpool on Sunday.
But the lack of firepower up front may sharpen Lampard's intentions to recruit a striker during the transfer window after being linked with the likes of RB Leipzig's Timo Werner.
- Relive Newcastle v Chelsea, plus the rest of Saturday's Premier League action
Newcastle fortunate after string of bad luck
Bruce said prior to the game that he was happy with his squad and would only bring players in during the transfer window if they would improve on his current crop.
And they showed their defensive quality by holding out against a Chelsea side who had 70% possession during the game and created the vast majority of the chances in freezing conditions on Tyneside.
If there was a touch of fortune to the result, Bruce will not care.
His side has been struck by a succession of injuries this season, and he will be delighted that the returning Saint-Maximin created the goal which lifts his side to 12th place in the table.
The result also earned a fourth game unbeaten for the first time this season, albeit with two of those games coming against Rochdale in the FA Cup.
Despite all of Chelsea's endeavour, it was Newcastle that created the game's other best chance when Joelinton crashed a header against the crossbar.
With the £40m summer singing breaking a 20-game goal drought by scoring against Rochdale, Saint-Maximin offering trickery on the wing after a hamstring injury and Miguel Almiron scoring in three of the last four games, Bruce may feel his luck is turning.
The cheer that greeted the final whistle underlined how elated and surprised the home crowd were as the hosts earned their first Premier League win since December 21.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Newcastle
1Dubravka
17KrafthSubstituted forS Longstaffat 71'minutes
18Fernández
6Lascelles
2Clark
15WillemsSubstituted forRitchieat 12'minutes
24Almirón
14HaydenBooked at 55mins
8ShelveySubstituted forM Longstaffat 85'minutes
10Saint-Maximin
9Joelinton
Substitutes
5Schär
11Ritchie
20Lejeune
26Darlow
30Atsu
36S Longstaff
43M Longstaff
Chelsea
1Arrizabalaga
24JamesSubstituted forEmersonat 75'minutesBooked at 84mins
4Christensen
2Rüdiger
28Azpilicueta
7Kanté
5Jorginho
19MountSubstituted forBarkleyat 68'minutes
20Hudson-Odoi
9AbrahamSubstituted forBatshuayiat 80'minutes
10Willian
Substitutes
8Barkley
11Pedro
13Caballero
15Zouma
17Kovacic
23Batshuayi
33Emerson
Referee:
Chris Kavanagh
Attendance:
52,217
Match Stats
Home TeamNewcastleAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home30%
Away70%
Shots
Home7
Away19
Shots on Target
Home2
Away4
Corners
Home1
Away10
Fouls
Home9
Away14
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Newcastle United 1, Chelsea 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 1, Chelsea 0.
Goal!Posted at 90'+4'
Goal! Newcastle United 1, Chelsea 0. Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Allan Saint-Maximin with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 90'+3'
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Andreas Christensen.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea).
Posted at 90'+2'
Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+1'
César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+1'
Foul by Joelinton (Newcastle United).
Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Willian.
Posted at 90'+1'
Jorginho (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'+1'
Foul by Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United).
Posted at 88'
Attempt missed. Joelinton (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Allan Saint-Maximin.
Posted at 86'
Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Posted at 86'
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 86'
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Miguel Almirón.
SubstitutionPosted at 85'
Substitution, Newcastle United. Matthew Longstaff replaces Jonjo Shelvey.
BookingPosted at 84'
Emerson (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 84'
Emerson (Chelsea) has gone down, but the referee deems it simulation.
Posted at 83'
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Federico Fernández.
Posted at 83'
Attempt blocked. Emerson (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
SubstitutionPosted at 80'
Substitution, Chelsea. Michy Batshuayi replaces Tammy Abraham.
Posted at 80'
Foul by Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea).
Posted at 80'
Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Attempt blocked. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from very close range is blocked. Assisted by César Azpilicueta with a headed pass.
Posted at 76'
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Isaac Hayden.
SubstitutionPosted at 75'
Substitution, Chelsea. Emerson replaces Reece James because of an injury.
Posted at 75'
Attempt missed. Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United) header from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jonjo Shelvey.
Posted at 72'
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left.
SubstitutionPosted at 71'
Substitution, Newcastle United. Sean Longstaff replaces Emil Krafth.
SubstitutionPosted at 68'
Substitution, Chelsea. Ross Barkley replaces Mason Mount.
Posted at 67'
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United).
Posted at 66'
Attempt blocked. Jorginho (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Willian.
Posted at 63'
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Ciaran Clark.
Posted at 62'
Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Posted at 62'
Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 61'
Foul by Andreas Christensen (Chelsea).
Posted at 61'
Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 60'
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Posted at 59'
Attempt saved. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Source: bbc.com