Chelsea 0 Newcastle Utd 2NEWCASTLE UNITED moved four points clear of Chelsea in the pursuit of a Champions League berth with this victory but the outcome was overshadowed. The visitors' midfielder Cheik Tiote suffered a head injury when the raised arm of Mikel John Obi caught him on the head. An oxygen mask had to be applied before he was taken off on stretcher in the 68th minute. The seriousness of the incident was reflected in the 10 minutes of added time although Tiote later reappeared to sit on Newcastle's bench.
In that period Newcastle struck again with an exquisite first-time drive from the left by Papiss Cisse who sent the ball across Petr Cech and into the top corner for his second goal of the night.
With the FA Cup final against Liverpool to come, Roberto Di Matteo sought balance. Fernando Torres was included but Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Juan Mata and Didier Drogba were all named among the substitutes.
It was a balancing act in more than one sense since Chelsea did not wish to see their form topple when a finish in the top four would offer a route to next season’s Champions League if they do not become holders by beating Bayern Munich.
That desire for control, however, was not achieved easily. Newcastle took the lead with a simple yet impressive goal in the 19th minute. Davide Santon rolled a pass to Cisse and the striker, showing fine control, gathered the ball and, with his second touch, fired home an excellent shot from just inside the penalty area.
There were no overtones of a grand occasion for Chelsea during the early stages. Torres, a man in the throes of rediscovering himself and his true attitude, particularly now that he has that hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers, was busy at first but the build-up then was of little assistance.
The difficulties must have come as a surprise to Stamford Bridge players who may have felt entitled to believe they now had authority, even if it came in the shape of Di Matteo. After Andre Villas-Boas had been dismissed Chelsea went to almost pedantic lengths to stress that the person taking over should be viewed as a mere caretaker. Di Matteo’s title of interim head coach might have been designed to stop him from getting overexcited.
Nothing, all the same, could prevent the squad and the whole club from revelling in joyous disbelief after Barcelona were dismissed from the Champions League despite arduous circumstances. Whatever else happens to Di Matteo, he already has his place in the history of Chelsea after overseeing the 2-2 draw in Camp Nou achieved despite the red card for John Terry.
Newcastle had no great cause for anxiety before half-time. Ramires did well to climb and meet a Torres cross from the right but the header went wide of the far post.
Chelsea at least opened the second half with vehemence of their own, although the sedate approach that had preceded it was mystifying. In truth, too much attention might have been paid to home advantage. Di Matteo sought to tip the balance with the introduction of Mata for Daniel Sturridge. His side at least began to hold a territorial domination, but Newcastle did not quake at a bolder approach from Chelsea that was inevitable.
The visitors were still calm as Di Matteo’s men pushed forward with intent, even if guile was not immediately detectable.
Tiote was felled when the raised arm of Mikel, who did not appear to have seen the Ivorian, struck him on the head. Extended treatment was called for before he was could be stretchered away.
The match resumed with Chelsea ever more eager to make an impact, but their work was fitful and Lampard was sent on for Raul Meireles. Despite the ambitions of these clubs there were few indications on this occasion that either would enhance the Champions League.
Guardian Service
BOLTON WANDERERS: Bogdan, Boyata, Wheater, Ream, Ricketts, Eagles (Miyaichi 83), Reo-Coker (Vela 65), Mark Davies, Petrov, Ngog (Klasnic 65), Kevin Davies. Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Alonso, Knight, Sordell. Booked: Vela,Eagles.
TOTTENHAM: Friedel, Walker, Gallas (Nelsen 87), Kaboul, Rose, Lennon (Saha 84), Sandro, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart (Livermore 79), Adebayor. Subs not used: Cudicini, Giovani, Defoe, King. Booked: Walker.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
