Willian and Pedro on target as Blues down the Magpies

» WILLIAN’S sublime strike earned Chelsea a 2-1 victory over spirited Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro’s ninth-minute lob saw the Magpies trailing, but Ciaran Clark headed in a deserved equaliser before half-time.

The Blues had plenty of chances, but only prevailed when Willian curled in a decisive second, following another assist by Eden Hazard, who was again deployed as Chelsea’s ‘false nine’.

Goalscoring remains an issue for Chelsea, who faced the prospect of a third top-flight home game without scoring for the first time since November 1993, but finished the day with a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal.

Newcastle appeared to be the ideal opponents to end the lean streak, having won one of their past eight league games. Newcastle, watched by owner Mike Ashley for the first time since November, were in the relegation zone by the 5.30pm kick-off.

Maurizio Sarri stuck with Hazard as his attacking focal point. Alvaro Morata was absent for a second successive game amid suggestions of a departure before the end of the January transfer window, while Olivier Giroud was on the bench alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 18-year-old winger has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.