The Chilean ace reacted quickest when Laurent Robert fired in a low-range strike from 25 yards, which Ed de Goey could not hold, tucking the ball away from six yards.

None would have cheered louder than his goalkeeper, Shay Given, whose first-half howler had gifted Chelsea the lead.

The Republic of Ireland international had allowed Boudewijn Zenden's left-foot strike to dribble through his legs in a manner which would have had Massimo Taibi nodding in recognition.

The contrast could not have been more marked before the kick-off with the home side parading 26m-worth of new faces, while Newcastle had a commensurate amount of talent on the sidelines.

However, their 10m signing Laurent Robert was one shining light for Bobby Robson in the first-half when they were under the cosh for much of the time, as Zenden worked his magic down the left flank.

There had appeared little danger when Chelsea worked a short corner to the former Barcelona man, but having cut along the 18-yard line, his scuffed left-foot strike trundled through to Given, who on bended knee allowwed it to squirm through his legs.

De Goey was fortunate not to return the favour from Robert's free-kick monents later, while Given partly redeemed himself with a crackig reflex save from John Terry at point blank range.
 
The impressive Zenden produced one dangerous cross which Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink just failed to capitalise on, then another which saw Jesper Gronkjaer's shot deflected over.

Chelsea continued in the ascendancy at the start of the second period, with Given saving well from Emmanuel Petit and Gianfranco Zola, before Newcastle, without a win in 24 visits to the capital, came back into contention.

Claudio Ranieri did not endear himself to the home crowd by sending on Slavisa Jokanovic for Zenden, and their mood duly got darker courtesy of de Goey.

The Dutchman, standing-in for the injured Mark Bosnich, watched Christian Bassedas tap a free-kick to Robert 25 yards out and promptly spilled his shot, with Acuna exacting full retribution.