Chelsea 1 Newcastle United 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED came within 16 minutes of earning an incredible point from the home of the Premiership champions last night.

But Didier Drogba, on as a second half substitute, arrived at the near post to turn in an Andriy Shevchenko pass on 74 minutes to inflict a cruel blow on the depleted Magpies.

It had looked for so long that a toothless Blues were not going to close the gap between themselves and leaders Manchester United - Drogba, though, had other ideas.

Now Chelsea, looking nowhere near their best against a Newcastle side as determined as resolute as they have been, will look to make further inroads this weekend.

Newcastle, however, will return to the North-East with their heads held high.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Hilario; Geremi (Shevchenko 67,), Carvalho (Makelele 46,) , Terry, Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard; ROBBEN, Wright-Phillips (Drogba 46,), Kalou. Subs (not used): Hedman, Bridge.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Given ; HUNTINGTON, Taylor , Ramage, Babayaro; Milner, Butt, N'Zogbia (Pattison 43,), Rossi; Sibierski (Luque 78), Martins. Subs (not used): Srnicek, Edgar, O'Brien.