The optimists among Newcastle’s fanbase predicted that with so many players freshly returned from international duty
Chelsea would arrive here fatigued, fragile and, quite possibly, fractious.
How wrong can you be? Frank Lampard may have fretted that a Saturday lunchtime kick-off was tough on his widely travelled squad, but his players looked formidably fresh throughout. Indeed they headed back to Newcastle airport on Saturday afternoon with the adrenaline high of a team unbeaten in 12 games and on a run of five wins in all competitions. Underestimate their title chances at your peril.