Chelsea ran out emphatic winners in their 5-1 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday which earned Guus Hiddink’s side a first home league victory since mid-December.
The Blues, who sat 14th before the game, got off to a flyer when Willian played through Diego Costa to slot past Rob Elliot in the fifth minute.
It only took another four minutes for Hiddink’s men to double their lead; Pedro intercepting a ball near the halfway line before charging down the pitch and passing the ball into the corner of the net.
Chelsea added their third on the 17th-minute mark when Costa and Willian combined again, this time, the in-form winger tapping in from close-range.
The scored remained at 3-0 at half-time and although Newcastle had a mini-revival at the break, Pedro added his second on the hour mark.
A period of dominance ensued for the remainder of the half with Bertrand Traore scoring his first Premier League goal in the 83rd minute.
The only disappointment for Chelsea was conceding to Andros Townsend in the game’s closing stages, although in truth it was a good attempt from the former Spurs winger.
