Last Updated: Mon, 05 May 2008 18:11
Second half goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda secured title-chasing Chelsea a vital three points at Newcastle.
Following a first half in which they struggled to break down a physical and resilient Magpies' defence, the Blues ensured the Premier League title battle with Manchester United will go to the final day on Sunday with an impressive second half display capped off with two goals at St James' Park.
Michael Owen almost fired Newcastle ahead on six minutes when he got on the end of Nicky Butt's lovely chip over the top of the Chelsea defence. However the in-form England international tried to hit it with the outside of his right foot on the volley instead of going with his left foot and the shot went over Petr Cech's goal.
Chelsea continued to enjoy plenty of possession without really hurting the Newcastle defence, before the hosts went close to going in front again on 28 minutes.
Obafemi Martins tried to get on the end of Owen's pass into the area, but Mark Viduka eventually got the effort on goal only to be denied by Cech's fine save. Owen followed up to hit the loose ball at goal but John Terry was on hand to clear off the line.
Chelsea had numerous long-range efforts which failed to trouble keeper Steve Harper before their best chance came on 35 minutes. Michael Essien played the ball to Ballack on the left side of the area but his poor first touch took him wide and the subsequent attempt at goal was sliced well off target from a tight angle.
Chelsea started the second half strongly and almost went in front when Terry thumped a header against the crossbar from Malouda's right-wing corner on 53 minutes.
However they did take the lead on the hour when Didier Drogba's floated free-kick from just outside the right side of the penalty area found the head of the unmarked Ballack who made no mistake from a few yards.
Newcastle came back well after going behind with Martins seeing a curling shot deflect just wide of the far post off a defender on 71 minutes and Owen was inches off diverting a ball into the area towards the net just a minute later.
The points were secured, though, on 82 minutes when a great flowing move ended with Frank Lampard threading a pass through to Malouda in the area and he hit a left-footed shot past Harper and into the far bottom corner of the net.
Chelsea must now defeat Bolton at Stamford Bridge and hope Manchester United slip up at Wigan on Sunday to lift the Premier League crown.