An injury-time goal by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took Chelsea into the semi-finals last night and continued Newcastle's miserable run in London.
Extra-time seemed inevitable until the substitute Boudewijn Zenden burst down the left flank and crossed for his Holland team-mate to score from close range at the near post and decide the game in favour of a Chelsea side who had been only spasmodically impressive.
The chances of Newcastle winning had seemed on a par with those of Ken Bates handing out blank cheques to every away fan at half-time. Bobby Robson's team arrived without a victory in London in 28 attempts since 1997.
That Robson and the Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri fielded their strongest sides was a boon for the battered Worthington Cup.
The Italian may have wondered whether luck was on his side when Slavisa Jokanovic's lob rebounded to safety off the bar inside a quarter of an hour.
Yet Chelsea did not play in the most convincing fashion. They did most of the pressing but moves often broke down because of poor balls or aggressive defending.
CHELSEA: Cudicini, Melchiot, Babayaro, Gallas, Terry, Lampard, Jokanovic (Stanic 45), Dalla Bona, Le Saux (Zenden 69), Gudjohnsen (Zola 77), Hasselbaink. Subs Not Used: de Goey, Forssell. Booked: Terry, Babayaro. Goal: Hasselbaink 90.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Hughes, Elliott, Dabizas, O'Brien, Solano (Lua-Lua 90), Lee (Ameobi 90), Speed, Bernard (Dyer 71), Shearer, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Harper, Distin. Booked: Bellamy, Bernard, Dabizas.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)
