Chelsea are leading Newcastle United 1-0 in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge following an Oscar goal at the end of the first half.
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The hosts were calm in the opening stages, passing the ball around confidently, but the Magpies were first to register a chance on goal when Moussa Sissoko scuffed a shot into the hands of Petr Cech.
This appeared to unsettle the Blues, as the visitors slowly worked their way into the game and threatened twice in as many minutes on the quarter-hour mark.
First, Ayoze Perez came within a whisker of latching on to Paul Dummett's cross, before Remy Cabella saw a goal-bound shot deflected wide by John Terry.
Just before the half-hour mark, Yoan Gouffran tested Cech with a stinging drive, but moments later, Chelsea countered as Nemanja Matic picked out Oscar on the right of the area, his effort flying just wide of the far post.
Nevertheless, Newcastle picked themselves up and pushed forward again, as Sissoko marauded down the right flank before cutting inside and striking a shot that cannoned off the Blues post.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play in the 43rd minute when Branislav Ivanovic crossed low into the area to the unmarked Oscar, who duly slotted home.
Giuseppe Labellarte
