SOCCER/Chelsea 1 Newcastle Utd 0:Chelsea have many gifts, but it was obvious last night that they have yet to perfect the knack of Premiership pursuit. Manchester United's lead was only cut to five points by a goal in the 74th minute.

It came as a low cross from the left by Arjen Robben was miscued by one substitute, Andriy Shevchenko, into the path of another, Didier Drogba, who shot home.

Though Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given had later to tip over a John Terry header and Robben struck a post, the nature of the game was not as anticipated.

The absence of Shevchenko and Drogba earlier did not necessarily have these visitors rubbing their hands in anticipation since Newcastle had conceded 17 goals to Chelsea on this ground since last scoring here themselves.

That statistic could nonetheless have become extinct after 16 minutes in an episode that once again exposed Chelsea's vulnerability while Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini are injured.

James Milner took a regulation corner kick, but Hilario stood behind Antoine Sibierski and stretched out his hands as if assuming that the ball must drop into his grasp. The episode followed a more natural course as the Frenchman connected with a header and the goalkeeper was lucky that the effort struck the bar.

Newcastle, level at the interval, could be delighted with themselves. After doing apparently serious damage to his left leg on the verge of half-time Charles N'Zogbia's name had to be added to an injury list already running into double figures.

However, Glenn Roeder's side came to London unbeaten in eight fixtures.

After so much adversity, improvisation is probably second nature by now. The 19-year-old Paul Huntington had only made his debut against Blackburn at the weekend and this was his first start for the club.

Given, indeed, had not needed to make a save in the first 45 minutes. While Chelsea's midfield scarcely abounded in creativity, scrutiny focused on an attack featuring Salamon Kalou, who had not begun a match since a League Cup-tie in October.

He was at least involved immediately against Newcastle as he rose to meet Geremi's throw-in and glanced it on dangerously. Shaun Wright-Phillips, enjoying a rare place in Mourinho's starting line-up, miskicked when he should have scored.

In the first half there were precious few clues that Chelsea were racing hell for leather to trim Manchester United's Premiership lead.

Newcastle had impressed at that stage with a capacity to cope with a challenge that had looked beyond them beforehand. In addition to the security of the defence, the re-emergence of Nicky Butt as a wise midfielder who can cover and slip passes around safely was precious against a Chelsea team who knew their momentum was being sapped.

Mourinho realised things were not going according to plan and he was in the mood to rejig a team that had been bland. Wright-Phillips and Ricardo Carvalho were removed, with Michael Essien shifted to centre-back, Claude Makelele brought on in midfield and Drogba was restored to the attack.

It was fitting that the dynamic striker should eventually make the vital breakthrough but his side were desperate by then Despite the endeavour of Drogba, Newcastle were still well-ordered and obstinate.

The change, with an hour gone, lay in the swelling urgency of the Premiership champions. After 61 minutes Robben lashed a low free-kick from the right that would have flown all the way to the net had Given not possessed the reactions to plant his right leg in its path.

Despite that, Chelsea's effort was more conspicuous than their talent.

Hilario offered no composure either as he failed to to make a clean catch when Essien scythed a clearance. Mourinho, scowling at the deadlock, was compelled to add another attacker in Shevchenko.

With only Terry and Ashley Cole left as natural defenders in the line-up, the manager's alarm was glaring. It took a while longer for calm to be restored. But Drogba's precious goal eventually sufficed to close the gap on Manchester United to five points.

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

NEWCASTLE UTD:Given, Huntington, Ramage, Taylor, Babayaro, Rossi, Butt, N'Zogbia (Pattison 44), Milner, Sibierski (Luque 78), Martins. Subs not used: Srnicek, O'Brien, Edgar. Booked: Ramage, Babayaro.

Referee:P Dowd (Staffordshire).