Shearer's reign begins with defeat

Second-half goals from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda eased the visitors past a spirited Magpies side to leave them three points from Barclays Premier League safety with just seven games to play.

Michael Owen thought he had pulled one back with 17 minutes remaining when his deflected shot was hooked off the line by Ashley Cole, and television replays suggested he had a case.

Clear chances were few and far between with Steve Harper having to pull off a fine 19th-minute save to keep out Salomon Kalou's diving header and Habib Beye just getting a touch to divert Nicolas Anelka's shot into the side-netting 14 minutes before the break.

The Magpies created only one real opening when Obafemi Martins, perhaps surprised that Jose Enrique's low cross had been allowed to reach him, stabbed it just wide of the post with his knee.

The visitors started the second half strongly and Magpies goalkeeper Steve Harper had to make an excellent block at his near post in the 52nd minute to deny Florent Malouda.

Five minutes later Chelsea took the lead when Nicolas Anelka chipped a shot over Harper and on to the woodwork, with Lampard easily heading the rebound into the empty net.

Jonas headed substitute Damien Duff's 64th-minute cross straight at Petr Cech, and his side's plight worsened within seconds.

Anelka flicked on Cech's clearance and Lampard slid the ball into the path of Malouda, who despatched a left-foot shot across Harper and into the net.

Owen had a goal ruled out but it was the visitors who finished strongly as substitutes Michael Ballack and Franco di Santo went close, along with Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Lampard.