Hasselbaink: Match-winner

 

Chelsea	1-0	Newcastle
Hasselbaink 90

Adrian Hill Reports

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink's injury time goal sent Chelsea into the last four of the Worthington Cup at the expense of Newcastle after a scrappy quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

It was a match-winner with a Dutch stamp on it as winger Boudewijn Zenden's cross was blasted into the Newcastle net from five yards by a gleeful Hasselbaink.

It was tough luck on the Magpies, still searching for a first trophy in 32 years, who should have broken the deadlock moments earlier when Andy O'Brien was given a free header in Chelsea's six-yard box, but the centre back provided a poor finish - nodding the ball way over the bar.

Chelsea march on to join Tottenham and Blackburn in the semi-finals with first division sides Sheffield United or Watford the only other remaining teams left in with a chance of the precious UEFA Cup spot given to the League Cup winners.
 
Chelsea's Slavisa Jokanovic had the first clear opportunity  in the 14th minute when he sneaked behind the Newcastle defence and tried an audacious lob over oncoming keeper Shay Given hit the bar.

The first half proceeded to be played in a subdued atmosphere, a sad comment on a quarter-final between two full-strength Premiership sides, things at last began to warm up in the final 15 minutes of the half.

Chelsea's Dutch international full-back Mario Melchiot strode down the right wing, but Hasselbaink couldn't get on the end of his inviting cross in the Newcastle six-yard box.

Three minutes later and it was Newcastle's first clear-cut chance. Peruvian star Nolberto Solano crossed and Alan Shearer's powerful header went just over the bar.

This developed into the visitors' best spell of the half and welsh international Craig Bellamy should have done much better after beating the offside trap but his shot, with the goal gaping, went nearer the corner flag than the Chelsea net.

The Blues struck back immediately. Eidur Gudjohnsson linking well with Hasselbaink before firing into the side-netting.

Solano attempted a spectacular drive from just outside the edge of the area but the ball arced just wide of the far post.

The game needed a goal and Gudjohnsson almost provided it on 53 minutes when left alone in the Newcastle area but Given pulled off an outstanding one-handed save to deny the Icelandic striker.

Gudjohnsson was the most threatening forward on the pitch by far and again almost broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when his shot cannoned off O'Brien and drifted just past the post.

Inspired by this, Chelsea launched more regular raids on Given's goal and Boudewijn Zenden tested the Irishman with a rasping 25-yard shot, but could not beat the on-form keeper.

With extra time looming, Gianfranco Zola tried a hooked shot with his back to goal but the ball refused to duck under the bar. 

TEAMS

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Babayaro, Gallas, Terry, Lampard, Jokanovic, Dalla Bona, Le Saux, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink.
Subs: de Goey, Zenden, Stanic, Zola, Forssell.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Elliott, Dabizas, O'Brien, Solano, Lee, Speed, Bernard, Shearer, Bellamy.
Subs: Harper, Dyer, Lua-Lua, Ameobi, Distin.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)