Chelsea’s front line look in fine form for trip to Paris in the Champions League

Chelsea cruised to victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday
John Terry hobbled off following a collision with Aleksandar Mitrovic
The Blues take on Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League on Tuesday

Published:
23:33 GMT, 14 February 2016

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Updated:
09:15 GMT, 15 February 2016

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A rampant forward line stampeding their way to goal, all the key attacking assets on the scoresheet and an opponent dispatched with the minimum of fuss inside 20 minutes.

It was almost the perfect evening for a Chelsea side slowly returning to the ruthless style to which we became accustomed.

Only the sight of captain John Terry hobbling off after a collision with Newcastle forward Aleksandar Mitrovic eight minutes before half-time spoiled things for Chelsea.

Chelsea striker Costa celebrates giving his side an early lead against relegation battlers Newcastle

Costa rounds the last defender to finish calmly inside five minutes against Newcastle on Saturday

SUPER STAT

Bertrand Traore is the first player from Burkina Faso to score in the Premier League

Manager Guus Hiddink confirmed Terry had suffered a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be risked in Tuesday night’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Paris Saint-Germain.

The absence of a player with 124 appearances in Europe will leave a big hole in a defence that must withstand Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel di Maria and Edinson Cavani.

With Kurt Zouma out for six months with knee ligament damage and January signing Matt Miazga not ready for such high-pressure occasions, Hiddink will reshuffle. In the second half against Newcastle, Branislav Ivanovic was drafted in alongside Gary Cahill at centre back.

Chelsea captain John Terry was substituted in the first-half after suffering an injury against Newcastle

Terry suffered a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be risked against Paris Saint-Germain

MATCH FACTS

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7, Terry 7 (Baba 37, 7), Azpilicueta 7; Fabregas 8, Matic 7; Pedro 9, Willian 7.5 (Loftus-Cheek 80), Hazard 7; Costa 8 (Traore 60, 7). Subs not used: Begovic, Mikel, Kenedy, Remy.

Scorers: Costa 4, Pedro 9, 59, Willian 17, Traore 83.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Elliot 4; Janmaat 4, Taylor 3, Coloccini 3, Aarons 3; Shelvey 5, Tiote 5 (Lascelles 66, 5); Sissoko 5, Wijnaldum 5 (Colback 46, 5), Townsend 5; Mitrovic 4 (Doumbia 70, 5).

Subs not used: Darlow, Perez, Saivet, Riviere. Booked: Taylor, Shelvey.

Scorer: Townsend 90.

Man of the match: Pedro.

Referee: Roger East 7.

At least Chelsea’s front line looks in fine form for the trip to Paris, with Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian on target against Newcastle.

Hiddink is wary of Ibrahimovic, who has 21 goals in 20 league games this season.

‘He’s special. He’s been proving that for many years,’ he said.

‘How do you deal with him? You never can. It’s important to neutralise him but it’s also important not to have him fed with a lot of passes.’

Newcastle are also heading abroad this week with a training trip to La Manga, Spain.

Manager Steve McClaren hinted ball retention would be on the agenda. ‘We didn’t deal with the ball very well,’ he said. ‘We gave the ball away too many times, then it is difficult to recover and get back into shape.

‘We need to start collecting points. We have to find a way to win away. If that’s a different approach, different personnel, a different way of playing, then we have to do that.’