Football: Harford quells Newcastle revolt

Chelsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Newcastle United. . . . . . . . . . . . .1

JUSTICE, as well as Premier League superiority, was served by Mick Harford's late winner, but it was more Chelsea karaoke than Coca-Cola Cup at Stamford Bridge last night, enthusiastic performers lacking the composure to live up to some top-notch backing.

Newcastle's stamina was phenomenal, their play less impressive. 'I was hoping to play a bit more football,' said Kevin Keegan. 'In terms of what we have been doing this season, that was 50 per cent of our maximum.' The First Division leaders were always second best, although they might have burgled a replay at the death, when Liam O'Brien's 20-yarder drew a flying save from Kevin Hitchcock.

A good, but fallible Premier side against thrusting, ambitious Wannabees. It promised to put some sparkle into the fizzy-pop cup, but it was falling disappointingly flat until two goals in the last 13 minutes went some way towards matching the atmosphere created by a high-decibel crowd.

There was no lack of fury to go with the sound, both sides going at it hammer and tongs throughout, but it was typical Cup tie frenzy. All pace and precious little pattern. Chelsea played it long, Newcastle tried the short game. It should have been a nice contrast in styles, but neither team was able to keep possession long enough to establish any measure of control.

Newcastle were without three of their best players - Barry Venison, Kevin Sheedy and David Kelly - all injured, but had more reason to rue the continued omission of a fourth, Brian Kilcline. Without their man-mountain of a centre- half, they were easy prey at set pieces, and at the far post, where the glowering, towering Harford is second to none.

Chelsea threatened to score every time Dennis Wise pinpointed a corner or cross. Newcastle, for all their energetic huffing and puffing, were restricted to long-range pot shots until the 77th minute when Robert Lee headed in John Beresford's left-wing cross for his first goal since transferring from Charlton Athletic for pounds 700,000.

Chelsea had taken the lead some 18 minutes earlier, when Wise's free-kick was met just beyond the near post by Sinclair, whose header crept under Tommy Wright on the bounce.

The win they deserved was secured eight minutes from the end when Harford plunged in at the far post to head in another cross from the ubiquitous Wise and so put one over one of his many former employers.

Chelsea: Hitchcock; Hall, Sinclair, Townsend, Lee, Donaghy, Stuart (Le Saux, 79), Fleck, Harford, Newton, Wise. Substitute not used: Allon.

Newcastle United: Wright; Neilson, Beresford, O'Brien, Scott, Howey, Lee, Peacock, Quinn, Clark, Brock. Substitutes not used: Kilcline, Bracewell.

Referee: K Cooper (Pontypridd).

(Photograph omitted)