12/12/2001  Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0
 
Chelsea's debt to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was magnified at 
Stamford Bridge as the Dutchman struck deep into stoppage-time 
to take the club into the semi-finals of the Worthington 
Cup.

Other teams, such as Arsenal and Bolton, may not take this 
competition seriously but there was no denying the hurt in the 
Newcastle camp as their failure to win in the capital was 
extended to 29 games.

This was the competition which first made Gianluca Vialli's 
name as a coach when he won the trophy in 1998.

And his Chelsea successor Claudio Ranieri similarly sees it 
as a way not only of reaching Europe but also keeping the pot 
boiling while he attempts to find the consistency to mount a 
serious title challenge.

Newcastle may have held their own for 91 minutes, with 
Craig Bellamy underlining their competitive edge as he escaped 
with a caution for an apparent head-butt on John Terry.

However, their capital punishment increased when 
Hasselbaink demonstrated his refined poacher's art in latching 
onto substitute Boudewijn Zenden's low cross for his 12th goal 
of the season.

Chelsea are heavily reliant on their Dutchman and Vialli's 
Watford side could potentially yet await them in a two-legged 
semi-final.

However, for now, Ranieri will just be relieved to have 
tasted a rare victory at Stamford Bridge.

After a reduced-sized crowd had got over the shock of 
seeing two full-strength Premiership sides in a Worthington 
Cup tie, they had to endure a cagey midfield stalemate for the 
opening 15 minutes.

However, the tempo then started to increase, with Slavisa 
Jokanovic lobbing keeper Shay Given only to watch as, almost 
in slow motion, the ball struck the bar and was hacked clear 
by Robbie Elliott.

An added edge was given to the game as a flashpoint erupted 
when Terry fouled Bellamy and the Welsh striker appeared to 
kick out at the defender in retaliation before seemingly then 
connecting with his head.

With referee David Elleray deciding against sending off the 
Newcastle forward, Chelsea responded by resuming their 
constant probing.

Eidur Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink both came close, with the 
latter just inches away from sliding in to connect with a 
superb low cross by Mario Melchiot.

There was too little width on display, however, and 
Chelsea's poor home record is such that they could not rest on 
their laurels.

Indeed, Alan Shearer issued the first warning as he headed 
Nolberto Solano's free-kick just over the bar and Bellamy then 
beat the offside trap to race clear - only to miscue his shot 
horribly wide.

Gudjohnsen almost made the Newcastle striker pay for his 
profligacy as he struck the side-netting after a crisp one-two 
with Hasselbaink.

However, the match evened out after the break as Chelsea, 
with Mario Stanic on for Jokanovic, saw Gudjohnsen only denied 
by a superb one-handed save by Given, while Solano curled an 
effort just wide.

Still the half-chances came and went, with Stanic punished 
for hesitating right at the crucial moment and Andy O'Brien 
charging in to head over a corner.

Given, meanwhile, proved equal to a long-range effort from 
Sam dalla Bona, providing the cue for Zenden and Kieron Dyer 
to be sent on to increase each side's attacking options.

Gianfranco Zola represented Chelsea's last throw of the 
dice, replacing Gudjohnsen with 13 minutes of normal time 
left, and he almost immediately had a volley deflected 
narrowly wide.

O'Brien threatened twice more from corners - one of the 
efforts should have given them the lead but he nodded Solano's 
flag-kick over from five yards - as Newcastle produced most of 
the late pressure.

However, that was only until the second minute of stoppage 
time, when Zenden finally produced a superb cross from the 
left flank and Hasselbaink lost his marker to stab a volley 
home from close range.

Newcastle could hardly believe it. But then they have 
experienced a similar frustration 28 times before in the 
capital and the jinx continues.