Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle: Stuttering home form continues as Wise makes Toon return

Gutless Dennis Wise showed more front than Whitley Bay after turning up to watch Newcastle for the first time since Kevin Keegan resigned back in early September.

Seeking safe sanctuary high up in the home stands of his former club, Newcastle's executive director was even able to see the funny side as Chelsea's supporters mocked their rivals by singing songs to mark the Toon hate-figure's return to Stamford Bridge.

On the field, though, the visitors parked a bus in front of their goal and walked off with a point after Chelsea failed to break them down.

Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari refused to condemn Newcastle's tactics as Chelsea failed to win at home for the third time in four games.

He said: "Newcastle played very well, fantastic. They played for a draw and one million per cent they are the winners.

"They are better than us because they think only of a draw and got a draw where as we played for a win and didn't get it. Today we didn't win one point, we lost two. But it is my mistake and my mistake alone."

His counterpart Joe Kinnear said: "I won't apologise for playing for a draw. We planned to let Chelsea play in front of us.

"We lived on our nerves and tried to break when possible.

I don't think they created much, although Shay Given made two world-class saves.

"As far as I'm concerned it was the best team performance I've seen since I've been here."

Kin near added: "I've had my employment extended by another month and if I can twist the owner's arm to buy a couple of players, I will do so."

Frank Lampard's header from a hanging Florent Malouda cross in the eighth minute appeared to signal the start of a painful afternoon for Kinnear's side but Given's brilliant reflex save prevented them from falling behind.

But while Chelsea dominated, pinning Newcastle in their own half, desperate defending coupled with some bad fortune in front of goal was keeping the Magpies in the game.

Ashley Cole should have broken the deadlock on the half-hour. Jose Bosingwa crossed and Cole held his head in shame as his low stooping header drifted wide.

Chelsea found the net in the 54th minute only for Joe Cole's strike to be ruled out for offside. Lampard should have done better three minutes later but he fired wide with Given stranded.

A late chance fell to substitute Michael Ballack but as he fired wildly wide it summed up his side's frustrating afternoon.

Stat Attack at STAMFORD BRIDGE ATT: 41,660

How they rated

Chelsea Subs: Kalou (Malouda) 7, Ballack (J Cole) 7

Newcastle Subs: Ameobi (Martins) 7, N'Zogbia (Gutierrez) 5

13 off target 2

9 on target 0

Story of the game

8 Corners 1

13 Fouls Conceded 14

3 Offsides 0

0 Yellow 2

0 Red 0

Possession

70% 30%

MAN OF THE MATCH

8

Shay Given If Chelsea had thrown the kitchen sink at the Irish keeper he probably would have saved it in this form

MANAGERS L SCOLARI

7

Couldn't be faulted for bold tactics

J KINNEAR

6

Plan worked, but it was dull to watch

REFEREE PHIL DOWD 8

Allowed the game to flow

Next four games

ARSENAL (H) BOLTON (A) WEST HAM (H) EVERTON (A)

MIDDLESBRO (A) STOKE (H) PORTSM'TH (A) TOTTENHAM (H)

GO FOR JOE?

Should Mike Ashley extend Joe Kinnear's contract? Join the debate at forums.mirror.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

The last time Newcastle got a point at Chelsea was back in August 2001. Bolo Zenden (above) scored early for the Blues and Clarence Acuna equalised, one of only six Toon goals he scored.