09/11/2003  Chelsea 5 Newcastle 0
 
Claudio Ranieri rewarded his heroes of Rome by shelving his tinkering for the first time this season - and his Chelsea players responded by dishing out the Lazio treatment to Newcastle.

Just as the Italian giants were emphatically beaten on Tuesday, losing 4-0, the 10-man Tynesiders were torn to shreds by the buoyant Blues at Stamford Bridge in a 5-0 rout.

And, embarrassingly for United boss Sir Bobby Robson, this game was over as a contest before referee Paul Durkin had even put the half-time whistle to his lips.

Another Chelsea victory - their ninth in 12 league games - keeps Ranieri's men alongside Arsenal and Manchester United in the thick of the Premiership title race.

It was an afternoon to forget for Sir Bobby, whose side were toothless in attack in the absence of Alan Shearer, out with a throat infection.

Glen Johnson started the landslide, hammering home his first ever league goal in the 25th minute.

Further Chelsea goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes effectively clinched victory.

Hernan Crespo tapped in from six yards and Frank Lampard drilled home from the penalty spot after Adrian Mutu was hauled back by Andy O'Brien - who was sent off for a professional foul.

The rout was completed by Damien Duff, in the 78th minute, and Eidur Gudjohnsen six minutes later.

It was the first time this season that Ranieri, dubbed 'The Tinkerman', had named an unchanged starting XI - meaning William Gallas made his 100th Chelsea appearance - a decision which paid off handsomely.

Duff had been on target early on after Frank Lampard's nod-down but Shay Given saved well.

England midfielder Lampard had an attempt of his own after eight minutes but his strike from distance swerved just the wrong side of the post.

As the first period reached the half-way point, the teams were continuing to jab at each other rather than aim full-blown punches.

But Chelsea did send United crashing to the canvas after 24 minutes with a thunderous strike by Johnson.

The teenage right-back loitered with intent at the far post as Wayne Bridge skipped into space on the opposite flank and whipped over a cross.

The ball evaded Mutu and Crespo in the middle but fell to Johnson. He calmly chested it down and smashed it over Given's attempted block and into the roof of the net.

It was the first league goal of the former West Ham man's career, with his only other strike in Chelsea's Champions League qualifier against Zilina in August.

United hit back with Shola Ameobi stretching but just unable to connect with Lee Bowyer's flick, and Robert's header saved by Carlo Cudicini.

But the visitors fell apart as half-time neared and conceded two goals in three minutes to fall 3-0 behind.

First, after 39 minutes, Titus Bramble failed to clear Johnson's cross. Duff shot and Crespo nipped in to tap home his sixth goal of the season.

Mutu then raced onto a long pass and was pulled back by O'Brien as he attempted to beat the onrushing Given to the ball.

The Romanian frontman tumbled inside the penalty area and referee Paul Durkin, after checking with his linesman, awarded a spot-kick and sent off defender O'Brien for a professional foul.

Lampard smacked home his fifth of the season from 12 yards.

Duff threatened again just after the hour but his driven cross from the right was intercepted by Bramble.

The United centre-back, at fault for Chelsea's second goal, got it right this time and hammered the ball into the stand behind the goal.

Number four arrived after 78 minutes after errors by Given and United sub Steve Caldwell.

The keeper's botched clearance fell to Duff, who skipped round Caldwell and smacked a swerving shot into the bottom corner.

The fifth came six minutes from time when Bridge's cross picked out the unmarked Gudjohnsen and he headed home from six yards.