Half-time: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0

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Eden Hazard scored twice to put Chelsea in control at Stamford Bridge, where a win could take them to the top of the table.

Hazard struck on 27 minutes, turning nicely and finding Branislav Ivanovic before meeting the right-back’s low cross with a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net.

And he doubled the lead in brilliant fashion on the counter-attack seven minutes later, finishing coolly after a one-two with Samuel Eto’o.

Earlier, Newcastle keeper Tim Krul kept out efforts from Hazard and Frank Lampard, who also sent a free-kick wide of the target.

At the other end, Petr Cech twice got down quickly to gather low shots from Hatem Ben Arfa.

Cech was also called into action after Hazard’s opener, saving at the feet of Moussa Sissoko after the midfielder had been put through by Davide Santon.

It proved to be a crucial save because Hazard made it 2-0 a minute later – his 11th league goal of the season.

Lampard is captaining Chelsea in the absence of the rested John Terry, who is missing a Premier League match for the first time this season.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o.
Subs: Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Schurrle, Salah, Ba.

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Taylor, Dummett; Anita, Santon; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Sammy Ameobi, De Jong.
Subs: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gosling, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Armstrong.

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