Newcastle finally killed off any relegation worries with a five-star show
against Gianluca Vialli's Cup Winners' Cup finalists Chelsea.
Nikos Dabizas and Gary Speed both scored first League goals for the club,
sandwiched by a flying effort from skipper Rob Lee - to win St James' Park's
final game of a troubled season.
But although he didn't add to his seven-goal tally, it was Alan Shearer whose
name was on everyone's lips.
The England skipper had seemingly become public enemy number one after kicking
Neil Lennon in the face in midweek, but the Newcastle faithful - if no one else
- still chanted his name from all four sides of the packed stadium.
Shearer was soon in the action forcing a fourth minute corner on the left, Rob
Lee's kick being miscued by Speed when the ball was cleared to the Wales captain
on the edge of the box.
Chelsea found it almost impossible to get out of their own half early on as
the home side looked for an early breakthrough, a seventh minute inswinging
cross from Warren Barton inches away from the waiting Andreas Andersson.
The ever dangerous Mark Hughes put a 12th minute volley wide after Vialli had
broken dangerously down the left.
The home side continued to hold the balance of play but their final ball into
the box was often of a very poor quality, a problem that has affected them all
season.
England defender Steve Howey produced a fine 21st minute header, from a Lee
corner, only for the ball to strike Leboeuf as it headed towards the top
corner.
Chelsea gradually increased in confidence and an Eddie Newton cross saw Shay
Given drop the ball under a challenge from Hughes but Dabizas cleared with
ease.
The game continued to flow from end to end even though chances were at a
premium and in the 27th minute Pearce and Vialli were both booked after a
flare-up.
Andersson had a great chance to put the Magpies ahead 10 minutes before the
break but after turning clear of Leboeuf he hesitated allowing other Blues
defenders to get back and clear.
In the 38th minute Dabizas finally made the breakthrough when he flung himself
full-length to head a Lee free kick across the Chelsea keeper Dmitri Kharine
into the top corner.
It was a breathtaking effort and Lee made it two four minutes later, emulating
the Greek international's dive to head a superb Shearer cross home from six
yards.
Chelsea brought on Tore Andre Flo for Hughes at the break but Andersson should
have made it three in the 48th minute, his angled close-range effort was
blocked, as was Shearer's follow-up.
Di Matteo should have reduced the arrears, in the following minute, but after
being set-up by Vialli the midfielder somehow screwed his right foot effort
wide.
Flo had made an immediate impact with his intelligent running down the left,
however his team-mates seemed less keen to get up and offer him support.
A brilliant 55th minute move involving half of the home side ended with
Shearer heading a Pearce centre across goal, Andersson challenging, and Speed's
drive crashing into Kharine's body.
Newcastle went three-up in the 59th minute, Andersson and Pistone combined to
set up Speed who blasted a superb effort across Kharine.
Di Matteo finally reduced the arrears with a 77th minute drive which flew past
Given from 22 yards - a fine effort from the Italian, if nothing more than a
consolation.
Teams:
Newcastle: Given, Barton, Howey (Watson 45), Dabizas, Pearce,
Pistone, Batty, Lee (Hamilton 83), Speed, Andersson (Barnes 80),
Shearer.
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Tomasson.
Booked: Pearce.
Goals: Dabizas 39, Lee 42, Speed 59.
Chelsea: Kharine, Clarke, Newton (P. Hughes 77),
Leboeuf (Flo 45), Granville, Charvet, Morris, Nicholls,
Di Matteo, Vialli, M. Hughes (Poyet 45).
Subs Not Used: Hitchcock, Lee.
Booked: Vialli, Leboeuf.
Goals: Di Matteo 77.
Att: 36,710
Ref: K W Burge (Tonypandy).
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