It was 14th against 17th in the Premier League on Saturday evening, with Chelsea welcoming Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge.
The home side entered the match six points above the Magpies in the table and knowing that victory would have taken them above both Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion into 12th.
Chelsea were 3-0 ahead inside 17 minutes courtesy of goals from Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian and that was how the score stood at the end of the first period.
Pedro then added a fourth for the hosts just before the hour, before Bertrand Traore made it 5-0 late on to cap a miserable evening for Steve McClaren's side.
The visitors did manage a late consolation, however, with Andros Townsend scoring his first Magpies goal in the 90th minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea welcome Newcastle United. The Blues are still unbeaten under Guus Hiddink following a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last time out, but they will welcome a Newcastle team that have caused the capital side plenty of problems over the last few seasons. It should be another entertaining fixture!
Newcastle have only lost two of the last five Premier League meetings between the two teams and recorded two victories of their own. In fact, no team has taken more points off Chelsea (13) than the Magpies in the last five seasons. Back in September, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw at St James' Park, but Chelsea have been 3-0 and 2-0 winners in their last two meetings in this stadium.
Interestingly though, in the last 11 meetings between the two teams, Chelsea have failed to win when they have not keep a clean sheet – losing four times when that situation occurred. Chelsea's defence has been far from water-tight this season and they are now without the impressive Kurt Zouma for some time after the French centre-back picked up a serious injury against Man United last weekend.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Stamford Bridge. Both sides have had a fresh week to prepare for this league match...
TEAMS:
CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa
NEWCASTLE: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Tiote, Shelvey; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend; Mitrovic
So there we have it. Chelsea boss Hiddink has made three changes from the team that drew with Manchester United last weekend. Kurt Zouma picked up a serious knee injury in that match and misses out, while John Obi Mikel drops to the bench. That has allowed Gary Cahill to return to centre-back and Pedro to return to the attack, with Cesc Fabregas reverting to a deeper midfield role. Oscar, meanwhile, misses out altogether with a slight knock, which means a start for Eden Hazard.
As for Newcastle, Andros Townsend keeps his spot in the final third as part of a three that will operate behind lone striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Steve McClaren has kept faith with the same XI that beat West Bromwich Albion last weekend, meaning Steven Taylor once again starts at centre-back.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff in the English capital. I shall talk about Newcastle a bit later, but let's start with Chelsea, who are still unbeaten under Hiddink, but remain 13th in the table after almost becoming the draw specialists this season.
In fact, only one team (Everton) have drawn more league games than Chelsea this term. Their record from 25 league matches reads – won seven, drawn nine and lost nine. They have only found the back of the net on 33 occasions and have conceded 35 times, which is already more than they let in during the whole of their 2014-15 title-winning campaign. Something has gone wrong somewhere!
It did appear that Chelsea's 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions would come to an end at home to Man United last week, but in-form striker Diego Costa struck in stoppage time to secure a point in a 1-1 draw. Hiddink's side have now drawn six of their last 10 matches in all competitions and are still waiting to make it back-to-back Premier League victories this season, which is incredible.
After winning at Arsenal in January, it had been claimed that Chelsea could still finish in the top four. However, as it stands, the Blues are 17 points from the Champions League positions and that possibility has now gone. The top seven is not too far away, however, and the reigning champions are certainly capable of putting together a series of wins in the coming months, that is for sure.
PL FULL-TIME SCORES: Sunderland 2-1 Man United, Bournemouth 1-3 Stoke, Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford, Everton 0-1 West Brom, Norwich 2-2 West Ham, Swansea 0-1 Southampton.
Incredibly, Hiddink has still only lost one of his 21 Premier League games in charge of Chelsea, having taken control on an interim basis for the second time. It is unlikely that the Dutchman will be given the job on a long-term basis at the end of the season, but the fact that Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 16 league games under the experienced boss suggests that he is doing something right!
The Premier League is a bit of a write-off for Chelsea this season, but they return to Champions League last-16 action on Tuesday with a trip to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, before hosting Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup next weekend. Two major trophies are still on offer and regardless of their problems, they have a team capable of beating anyone on their day.
As for Newcastle, they will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over West Brom last weekend, which moved them out of the bottom three. That is still the case after the results this weekend, but they are now just one point above 19th-place Sunderland. Here is how it stands at the bottom...
The Magpies have only won six of their 25 league games this season and only found the back of the net on 26 occasions. Head coach Steve McClaren was given money to spend in January, however, and on paper, they have a team capable of moving clear of danger. It would be a surprise if Newcastle did not pull away from the bottom three over the next few weeks, but it is easier said than done!
McClaren led his team to an impressive 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on December 13, but since then, Newcastle have lost four straight away games in the league. They played well at Arsenal despite losing 1-0, but were disappointing in defeats to West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Everton. In fact, the Magpies have only won twice on the road this season, which is a poor return.
This is not exactly a must-win game for the visitors, however, and they do have some favourable fixtures coming up. After this one, the Geordies will travel to Stoke City, before hosting Bournemouth at the start of next month. Then comes a trip to Leicester City, before hosting struggling pair Sunderland and travelling to Norwich in their next two, who currently sit just below them.
PREDICTION! I really fancy Chelsea here. I don't think it will be a comprehensive home win by any stretch, but Newcastle have been poor on their travels this season and I think that the return of Hazard could inspire the Blues to all three points in London. My score prediction is a 2-1 home success.
A reminder of the two teams for this match...
CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa
NUFC: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Tiote, Shelvey; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend; Mitrovic
KICKOFF! It is a bitterly cold early evening in London, but the pitch is looking in fine condition and the stadium is full - time for the football! It is the visitors that kick things off in the capital...
... only goal difference is keeping Newcastle out of the bottom three at the moment and they will be wary of suffering a heavy defeat in this match. You just get the feeling that the visitors will need to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without conceding. They will want to frustrate the Chelsea fans.
Half-chance for the home side as a mistake from Townsend falls to the feet of Matic, but his strike from outside the box was always moving wide of the post. Pretty lively start to this match.
A foul from Tiote on Fabregas presents Chelsea with the chance to threaten from a free kick, but Sissoko is on hand to head clear. It is the home side that are on the front foot in the early minutes.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle (Costa)
The home side take the lead in the fifth minute as Willian slides a pass into Costa, who holds off Taylor before rolling his effort past Elliot and into the bottom corner. Terrible start for Newcastle!
It was a nice pass from Willian and strong work from Costa, but I am not sure about the defending from Taylor or the position of the Newcastle goalkeeper. That early strike has settled the home supporters and it must be said that Chelsea look full of ideas and invention in the early moments here.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle (Pedro)
That is the end of that game then! A horrible pass from Aarons leaves Taylor short and Pedro nicks in before finishing past Elliot outside the box. Smart finish, but just awful defending there!
It has been a decent response from the visitors and Townsend has a half-chance when he drives into the final third, but the midfielder's strike is tame and straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Newcastle have had a decent spell of possession since conceding that second goal, but it has been a horrible start to this match. Steve McClaren almost cannot believe his eyes on the touchline.
It has been quite a scrappy game since the second goal went in, but Newcastle are enjoying more of the ball and will feel that they can upset this Chelsea defence, which has been far from watertight throughout the season. The next goal in this game simply has to come for the visitors.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle (Willian)
Costa's pace takes him away from Coloccini and the Chelsea striker has the presence of mind to pick out Willian, who does not pass up the chance to beat the Newcastle stopper from close range.
BOOKING! Taylor (Newcastle) is booked for a late challenge on Costa.
Newcastle have only won twice on the road all season and I think I can say with some confidence that is going to remain the case. Defensively, they have been dire in the opening 21 minutes here.
Good grief Taylor plays a horrible pass back to his own goalkeeper and Costa almost nicks in again, but Elliot is on hand to clear. Newcastle are simply all over the place at the back in this match.
Mitrovic versus Terry is a battle to watch as this game unfolds. There has been some argy-bargy between the two players and Mitrovic is no stranger to a red card, that is for certain.
As you can see below - this heavy defeat is doing Newcastle no favours at all! A fourth almost arrives when Ivanovic meets a Pedro cross at the far post, but his strike is deflected behind.
Hazard uses his pace to drive clear down the right before attempting to pick out Costa, but the ball deflects behind for a goal kick. Costa was once again completely free inside the Newcastle box.
Fabregas produces an extravagant flick to pass the ball to Ivanovic and that just about sums up the opening 30 minutes of this match. Chelsea have been dominant and Newcastle have just not been in the match. You can imagine what the away dressing room is going to be like at the break!
CHANCE! Almost four for Chelsea as Terry meets a near-post corner from Willian, but Taylor is on hand to make the block. This could end up being six or seven in London.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it is not a very entertaining game. I expected more from Newcastle here, but they are letting themselves and their fans down badly.
CHANCE! Easily Newcastle's best chance of the match as Janmaat sets up Wijnaldum with a clever cross, but the Dutchman's half-volley is straight at Courtois in the Chelsea net.
CHANCE! Another defensive mistake from Newcastle presents another chance for Chelsea and indeed for Pedro, but the Spaniard cannot beat Elliot from close range.
CHELSEA SUB! Terry is going to be forced off injured for the home side, which will be a worry ahead of the clash with Paris Saint-Germain. His replacement is Baba Rahman.
It has been a lively last five minutes or so, but the play has settled in the last couple of minutes with Chelsea just keeping hold of the ball as the half-time interval draws closer in the capital.
We have not seen too much from Townsend in this first period, but the Englishman does well to beat Rahman and deliver into Mitrovic. Cahill, however, is on hand to clear down-field.
Hazard has stayed down following a heavy challenge from Janmaat...
... the Belgian is back on his feet, but he does not look too comfortable.
Chelsea have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Sissoko brings down Willian...
... SAVE! William's clever free kick brings a super save from Elliot.
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Chelsea leading 3-0 courtesy of goals from Costa, Pedro and Willian. It took just 17 minutes for the home side to race into a three-goal lead against Newcastle, who have made their own problems with some poor defensive mistakes.
STATS! Newcastle have actually shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had five attempts - two of which have been on target. Those numbers are actually quite kind when taking into account how poor the visitors have been. Chelsea, meanwhile, have hit the target five times from nine attempts.
BENCH WATCH! Chelsea have been forced into one change already, with skipper Terry leaving the field for Rahman, which will be a concern ahead of the PSG match. Hiddink, however, still has the likes of Kenedy, Mikel and Remy in reserve. Newcastle boss McClaren, meanwhile, who looked a broken man in that first period, has options in the shape of Doumbia, Perez, Riviere and Saivet.
One goal and one assist for an in-form Diego Costa in that first period...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Anyone fancy a Newcastle comeback? No? Me neither. The hosts resume the action here...
... NEWCASTLE SUB! Jack Colback has replaced Wijnaldum for the visitors.
Mitrovic looks to have a problem for Newcastle here as the striker goes down following a challenge from Fabregas, which was very clumsy. It looks like it could be an achilles problem.
It does appear that Newcastle will be forced into a change here because Mitrovic does not look comfortable at all. That said, the Magpies are currently putting pressure on Chelsea's defence.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Newcastle to register as Shelvey meets a loose ball inside the Chelsea box, but his effort is deflected wide by Cahill. Much better from the visitors!
Newcastle continue to struggle at the back and they make a meal of clearing a corner, but eventually the ball is hooked down-field. Still 3-0 Chelsea with 54 minutes on the clock here.
Sissoko drives down the right for away side and delivers towards Mitrovic, but Cahill is once again on hand to clear. It has been a pretty even second period thus far, but the damage has already been done. You cannot afford to concede three early goals and expect to take something from any game.
CLOSE! Mitrovic takes control of a loose ball outside the Chelsea box before drilling his effort towards the bottom corner, but it just misses the post. Newcastle deserve a goal.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Newcastle (Pedro)
Chelsea have their fourth just before the hour as Pedro controls a through ball before finding the back of the net for his second of the match. Again it was poor defending from Taylor there.
CHELSEA SUB! Costa is replaced by Traore for the home team.
BOOKING! Shelvey (Newcastle) is booked for a late challenge on Fabregas.
Azpilicueta comes close for Chelsea at the far post after more poor defending, but his goal-bound strike is blocked. Newcastle cannot keep it, however, as the home side come straight back.
NEWCASTLE SUB! Tiote is replaced by Lascelles for the away team.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Newcastle will be dropping into the relegation zone on goal difference. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be moving into 12th position, which is still not great, but this has been an impressive performance from Hiddink's side, who are going to make it 10 unbeaten.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and it is just so comfortable for Chelsea at the moment. They are moving the ball from left to right with ease and the visitors are dropping so deep.
NEWCASTLE SUB! Doumbia replaces Mitrovic for the away team.
Pedro might never get a better opportunity to score a hat-trick for Chelsea and he will fancy his chances of adding another against what has been a very poor Newcastle defence here.
Doumbia has shown a couple of nice touches since entering for the visitors and you sense that McClaren needs to get the striker in his team on a regular basis for the rest of the season.
You watch Chelsea play like this and have to question their attitude earlier in the season under Jose Mourinho. Particularly the likes of Costa and Fabregas, who were not seen for six months or so.
It is almost like a friendly game at the moment as Chelsea keep hold of the ball and switch the play from left to right. Pedro has scored twice this evening, but Willian has been the star man. The Brazilian has been Chelsea's best player all season and that has also been the case here.
CHELSEA SUB! Third Chelsea change as Loftus-Cheek replaces Willian.
Chelsea continue to work the ball in the final third, but Janmaat is across to challenge Pedro and the visitors manage to clear their lines. Pretty much silent inside the stadium at the moment.
Little over five minutes remaining and Chelsea are just keeping hold of the possession.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Newcastle (Traore)
Bertrand Traore has his first Premier League goal for Chelsea after converting a near-post cross from Azpilicueta. Good ball and good finish, but Taylor should have been quicker across there.
You look at Newcastle's team and you think that there is enough there to move clear of the relegation zone, but performances like this, if they are repeated, will take them down.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Chelsea to make it six as Fabregas picks out Hazard with another excellent pass, but the Belgian can only poke wide of the post from close range.
Janmaat chips a cross wide of the Chelsea goal and we are into the 89th minute.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-1 Newcastle (Townsend)
Newcastle have a consolation and Townsend has his first goal for the Magpies as the Englishman darts in from the right before firing his effort past Courtois. Super goal from the attacker!
We are into the third and final minute of stoppage time here.
FULL-TIME: Chelsea 5-1 Newcastle
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Chelsea running out 5-1 winners against a poor Newcastle side, who have dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
