Chelsea suffered a frustrating home defeat thanks to a superb Newcastle display at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. We approached this game knowing a win would take us above the Magpies, and depending how they fared at Bolton, potentially above Spurs too, and into fourth spot. It was not to be however, as Newcastle produced a display of superb grit, determination and organisation, and Chelsea laboured, perhaps understandably given our recent exertions.

It was an infuriating night for the home faithful, with few openings created, Florent Malouda's first-half header, narrowly wide, as close as we came. By then, Papiss Cisse, the north-east's new favourite son, had fired his side into a 19th minute lead which they rarely looked like relinquishing.

The same player condemned us to defeat in injury time at the end of the game, sending a dipping, bending lob over Petr Cech and into the net. It was harsh on Chelsea, but the visitors had got what they came for.

- First half

Di Matteo made six changes from the side that hammered QPR, with a number of players rested ahead of the FA Cup Final.

This was still a big game though with important league placements to play for, so back in came eligible again Branislav Ivanovic, with John Mikel Obi, Raul Meireles, Ramires and Malouda also recalled. Youngster Ryan Bertrand replaced Ashley Cole at left-back, while Fernando Torres continued in attack after his hat-trick at the weekend.

Newcastle made just one change to their starting line-up from that which was beaten heavily by Wigan at the weekend. James Perch replaced Danny Simpson at right-back.

Chelsea started well, Torres clearly influenced by his three-goal haul three days earlier as his running in behind the Newcastle defence threatened to cause problems inside the first minute.

After three minutes, he was tripped by Cheik Tiote, allowing Meireles to whip a free-kick towards goal, already the midfielder's second attempt, this one at least on target after he had skied an early one on his left foot.

Another Torres venture down the left, followed by a low right-footed cross found Daniel Sturridge 12 yards out, and the England man should have done better than to drag his effort wide.

At the other end Petr Cech saved low from Tiote and then Demba Ba bicycle-kicked over from eight yards. This was a game nicely coming to the boil.

It reached that point on 18 minutes, when the visitors took the lead at Stamford Bridge. Hatem Ben Arfa commenced the type of run he is becoming known for, squared to Papiss Cisse on the edge of the area, and after killing it with his first touch, the forward lashed home into Cech's top corner with his second.

Could Chelsea, on this exhausting run of games, raise their game again to prompt a turnaround?

The early evidence suggested not, as Newcastle showed a defensive rigidity absent at Wigan, Tiote and Yohan Cabaye marshalling midfield well in front of their defence.

Indeed it was 19 further minutes before Chelsea created a real chance of note. Again it came from Torres, whose whipped delivery was met well by the head of Malouda. Half of those inside the Bridge thought it was in, but it dropped despairingly the wrong side of the post.

Moments later Ivanovic met a Meireles corner inside the six-yard box, but this time the header was too high. It was, though, briefly promising.

Newcastle were not done however, as Ba jinked and shimmied his way from the halfway line into the box before forcing Cech into a low fingertip save just before the break. Then the same player rattled the crossbar with a rising drive as Chelsea's defence napped. As they had all season, Newcastle had surprised a few people with their first half display, which was typified by the dominant Tiote and tricky front pairing.

- Second half

At half-time, Di Matteo called for Juan Mata in place of Sturridge, who since his miss had rarely been in the game. The little Spaniard was quickly into the action, taking a central role with Malouda moving to the left.

Malouda's next move was to the dugout, replaced by Drogba with half an hour remaining and no chances created in the opening 15 minutes of the second period.

At the same time, Tiote was being treated after landing awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Mikel. He required a stretcher, a sad end to the evening after an impressive performance. Drogba, in particular, a father figure at international level to the midfielder, showed particular concern.

When play resumed after a seven-minute delay, Chelsea were in altogether more urgent mood, but could do nothing to quicken United's play as they looked to break up the game and kill time where possible.

Meireles whipped a free-kick straight into Krul's arms before he was substituted, Lampard the replacement.

Drogba appealed for a penalty shortly afterwards upon colliding with Fabricio Coloccini, but this was waved away, before Lampad tried to make an impact but half-volleyed well wide.

Coloccini was forced to flick a header behind his own goal as Drogba delivered a wicked cross, but inside the final five minutes of normal time Krul was still untested on the night.

When Chelsea did get a real effort on target, through Terry's header, Krul could get nowhere near it but unfortunately Davide Santon, the left-back could, and headed acrobatically off the line. The corners continued to come., but opportunities did not.

In the fourth of 10 added minutes, Cisse delivered the killer blow. Again, it was quite unexpected and something well out of the ordinary.

After substitute Shola Ameobi received a long throw from Coloccini and knocked it down, the Senegalese striker, clearly high on confidence, hit his shot first time from some 30 yards wide on the left and over Cech into the bottom corner. Game over. Our top four hopes are not, but they have taken a huge blow, particularly with Spurs winning comfortably at the Reebok.

Attention now can turn to the FA Cup Final with Liverpool on Saturday. Silverware would bring a much-needed boost after tonight.

- Match stats:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Bertrand; Mikel, Meireles (Lampard 77); Ramires, Malouda (Drogba 60), Sturridge (Mata h-t); Torres.
Unused subs Turnbull, Cole, Essien, Kalou.
Goals
Booked

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul; Perch, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Santon; Ben Arfa (Obertan 86), Tiote (R Taylor 67), Cabaye, Gutierre; Cisse, Ba (Shola Ameobi 74).
Unused subs Elliott, Ferguson, Marveaux, Gosling.
Goals Cisse 18, 90+3
Booked Tiote 3, Cabaye 55, Krul 90
Referee Mark Halsey
Attendance 41,559

- Match report by chelseafc.com