Chelsea boss Avram Grant sprang a major surprise when he made five changes to the side which reached the Champions League final for this afternoon's Premier League trip to Newcastle.
Anfield penalty hero Frank Lampard was named only among the substitutes along with Joe Cole, as Ashley Cole, Claude Makelele and Salomon Kalou also made way.
Paulo Ferreira, Wayne Bridge, Mikel John Obi, Florent Mikel and Nicolas Anelka were included as the Blues went is search of the victory they needed to give themselves a chance of overhauling fellow title contenders Manchester United next weekend.
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan was able to name what what was his strongest line-up in recent weeks, with Abdoulaye Faye's return from a groin injury in place of David Edgar the only change.
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Barton, Viduka, Owen, Martins. Subs: Forster, Cacapa, Duff, N'Zogbia, Smith.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge, Essien, Obi, Ballack, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Lampard, Joe Cole, Alex.
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