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Chelsea missed the opportunity to move one point behind leaders Manchester United after only managing a 0-0 draw at Newcastle.

Chances were few and far between in a match that only occasionally caught the eye. The result will, however, send ripples of excitement through Manchester.

United thought they had conceded the initiative in the title race with Saturday's draw against Middlesbrough but Sir Alex Ferguson's team are in pole position once more.

Newcastle, not renowned for their defensive acumen, nor sometimes for their desire and determination, had been epitomised by Titus Bramble's early, crunching challenge on Michael Ballack.

Bramble won the ball but took a piece of Ballack too to leave the German international limping and ultimately substituted for Jon Obi Mikel.

Bramble was probably inspired, like many of his team-mates, by a 'thou shalt not pass' performance from the outstanding Steven Taylor.

The visitors' hopes could also have been dented by the concession of a goal had Petr Cech not been alert to clear the ball from Obafemi Martins, and had the striker been a little more accurate from distance.

Newcastle's midfield had been excellent in the first half, particularly James Milner who was able to exploit the lack of familiarity down the right side of Chelsea's defence, where Michael Essien and Paulo Ferreira were pressed into action.

Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou menaced for the visitors who grew as the half wore on, having weathered The Magpies' storm, though what ever was to be won would have to be quarried.

Chelsea saw penalty claims for handball against Stephen Carr waved away by referee Mark Halsey, but it was not until the start of the second half that the visitors doubled their attacking efforts.

Kalou wriggled free past Bramble and Nolberto Solano before teeing up Frank Lampard only for the midfielder to fire over. Kalou was again a nuisance moments later but, like Lampard before him, Drogba could not capitalise.

Still Chelsea had offered only fleeting glimpses of their attacking threat and, with ten minutes of the second half played, Jose Mourinho introduced Joe Cole for Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The best opportunity of the match for Newcastle arrived three minutes later. Nicky Butt's ball released Kieron Dyer but the midfielder, who had strayed offside, could not beat Cech from a narrowing angle.

Lampard's shot was blocked by the impressive Taylor and Kalou, on the stretch, could not force home the rebound as Chelsea raided more in hope than expectation.

Mourinho's last throw of the dice saw Claude Makelele sacrificed for Andrei Shevchenko but the hosts had a late chance to win it when Andrew Carroll's cross flashed right across the face of goal.

The last chance of the match was Chelsea's but Cole stroked wide with a lack of conviction which betrayed his own team's performance and so the champions' surrender of their crown moved a step closer.

Teams

Newcastle Unted Harper, Bramble, Carr, Taylor, Butt, Dyer, Emre, Milner, Sibierski (Carroll 78), Solano, Martins
Subs Not Used Srnicek, Babayaro, Ramage, N’Zogbia
Booked
Goals

Chelsea Cech, Bridge, Ferreira, Terry, Ballack (Mikel 18), Essien, Lampard, Makelele (Shevchenko 76), Wright-Phillips (J. Cole 55), Drogba, Kalou
Subs Not Used Cudicini, Boulahrouz
Booked Essien, Mikel, Lampard
Goals

Attendance 52,056

Referee M. Halsey