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Chelsea put in their best performance of the season to rout Newcastle 5-1 and close in on a place in the top half of the Premier League table, with Guus Hiddink’s side just two points off 10th-placed Everton and 11th-placed Liverpool.
Pedro hit the target twice after Diego Costa opened the scoring, and when Willian struck too Chelsea found themselves 3-0 to the good before 20 minutes of the match had elapsed. Pedro picked up his second after half-time, before substitute Bertrand Traore scored his first Premier League goal for the club.
An Andros Townsend consolation in the 90th minute failed to liven up the spirits of the demoralised Newcastle players, who now drop into the relegation zone on goal difference after shipping five goals at Stamford Bridge.
The result means that Chelsea are yet to lose a match with Hiddink at the helm after the Dutchman replaced Jose Mourinho in December, with his run of 11 matches unbeaten the Blues’ best run this season.
So how did the players fare? Click on the gallery below to find out.
Show all 22 1 /22Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings <b>Chelsea:</b> Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10 Was never truly threatened by Newcastle's forwards but showed composure whenever he was called into action.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 7 out of 10 The right-back continues his revival in form after another solid display on both his flank and in the centre of defence, where he was moved to following Terry's injury. His showing in the second half alongside Gary Cahill will give Hiddink enough evidence that he can be a good back-up option as Zouma recovers.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Gary Cahill - 6 out of 10 Making his first start since Kurt Zouma was ruled out for the rest of the season through injury, the centre-back provided strength at the back and pace when needed. He may have gotten back into the team in unfortunate circumstances, but Cahill deserves his place at the heart of Chelsea's defence.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings John Terry - 6 out of 10 Never had any real troubles protecting the Chelsea goal, and indeed it was his ball that helped start the move that led to Pedro's goal. Amid chants of 'John Terry, we want you to stay' the Chelsea skipper saw his game cut short just before the break following a challenge with Mitrovic. Another solid performance from the captain.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10 The Spaniard enjoyed another fine performance and made several key clearances when called into action while creating Traore's goal with a lovely run and cross in the dying stages of the game.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Nemanja Matic - 6 out of 10 Kept the likes of Wijnaldum quiet in the first half after starting the game with his more attacking-minded partner in Fabregas - in contrast to recent weeks and didn't have any real problems thereafter.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 6 out of 10 Linked up well with his attacking teammates on several occasions, and was rewarded with yet another assist this season, this time, when he created Pedro's second of the evening with a delightful pass from midfield. Will perhaps look to have a greater influence on Chelsea's forward play against PSG but still this was another positive performance from the midfielder.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Willian - 8 out of 10 Set up Costa's opener with his fine through-ball before getting on the scoresheet himself with a lovely goal in the 17th minute. He could, and really should, have scored another but saw his free-kick fly just wide but the Brazilian continues to prove why he is Chelsea's player of the season.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Pedro - 8 out of 10 The Spaniard made it 2-0 with a calm and composed finish four minutes after Costa's opener and he then got his second with another finely-taken goal in the 59th minute. Showed a superb response to having been in and out of the team through injury and lack of form and his performance against Newcastle will give Chelsea fans hope Pedro can remain a key member of this team in the coming months and indeed seasons.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10 Coming back into the starting line-up, the Belgian impressed throughout the game. He showed great communication with the likes of Pedro to help build up the home side's attacks. A positive performance from the winger, who has endured a difficult season this term.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Diego Costa - 8 out of 10 Brilliantly outmuscled Taylor to open the scoring - his eighth in 10 games - after just five minutes and then set up Willian for his goal shortly after. Won the battle with Newcastle's centre-backs on several occasions - resulting in him being on the receiving end of many fouls as a result - before he was replaced to a standing ovation in the second half, probably, with the PSG game in mind.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Rob Elliot - 5 out of 10 Couldn’t have done much about any of them but nevertheless conceded four goals.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Daryl Janmaat - 5 out of 10 Ineffective going forward and hopeless in defence.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Fabricio Coloccini - 4 out of 10 Looked to have dealt with Diego Costa before Chelsea’s third, only to be beaten on the inside to allow the pass to Willian who promptly scored. Part of a very leaky defence.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Steven Taylor - 4 out of 10 Not an afternoon to enjoy, part of a hapless Newcastle defence and was beaten too easily for Chelsea’s fourth.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Rolando Aarons - 3 out of 10 Didn’t impose himself on the game at all, subbed in second half.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Cheick Tiote - 4 out of 10 Didn’t impose himself on the game at all, subbed in second half.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Jonjo Shelvey - 6 out of 10 Perhaps Newcastle’s best player, at least looked like he was trying, but it didn’t make much difference.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Moussa Sissoko - 4 out of 10 Unable to do anything to turn the game around.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum - 3 out of 10 Despite 60% of possession early on, was part of ineffective Newcastle midfield. Subbed at half time for Colback.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Andros Townsend - 5 out of 10 Scored the ultimate consolation goal and looked lively at times but couldn’t have any real impact on the game.
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Chelsea 5 Newcastle 1 player ratings Aleksandar Mitrovic - 4 out of 10 Not given any service and had almost zero impact on the game. Subbed for Doumbia with 20 minutes to go.
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