Afternoon all. So, another busy weekend of Premier League action has come around and here we will be covering Chelsea's home encounter with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

There's plenty to discuss before we get underway in West London, but the team news waits for nobody! Let's take a look first of all at how the home side will start this encounter.

CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o

CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Schurrle, Salah, Ba

The big news for Chelsea is that captain John Terry misses out altogether, presumably injured. It means that the centre-back will be absent for the first time in a Premier League match this season. As a result, David Luiz will partner Gary Cahill at the heart of the defence, while Frank Lampard comes in to skipper the team. There is also a recall for Oscar, who sat out Monday's win away at Man City.

And now for the away side...

NEWCASTLE XI: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, S Taylor, Dummett; Anita, Santon; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Sammy Ameobi; De Jong

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gosling, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Armstrong

The visitors are still without suspended leading goalscorer Loic Remy, which means that recent loan signing Luuk de Jong is given his first start as the lone striker. Elsewhere, it appears that Davide Santon has been moved forward into a midfield role, with youngster Paul Dummett coming in at full-back. There is also just one of the Ameobi brothers in the side, with the younger sibling Sammy given the nod by Alan Pardew.

Right, where else is there to start then with the comments from Mourinho after the big win over Man City on Monday night. In case you missed it, the Portuguese coach branded his Chelsea side the "little horse" in the three-way Premier League title race with City and Arsenal. It was classic mind games from Mourinho, but it's highly likely that he is saying something completely different to his players behind close doors. He will certainly have demanded that they win today against a Newcastle side that have struggled of late.

It just wouldn't be Newcastle without a bit of drama, would it?! As mentioned in the intro, they've won just one game in 2014. What's worse, they've had to contend with not only Remy's suspension, but also the sale of their most influential player, Yohan Cabaye, to Paris Saint-Germain. To rub further salt in the wound, the midfielder was not even replaced. Then, earlier this week, the club confirmed that Joe Kinnear had left his role as director of football with immediate effect. It's only early February!!

Mourinho has just been discussing the match and a possible reaction from Newcastle with Sky Sports News. Here's what he had to say:

"Monday was great, but it's over. Today is another game and another three points that we have to try to pick up. Newcastle is dangerous, we know that. They beat us at St James' Park, so for sure they will want to have a reaction. They will be at the top of their motivation."

If Newcastle fans do want some hope, how about this: When the Magpies lost to rivals Sunderland earlier in the season, they beat Chelsea next time out. So, having been defeated by the Black Cats last weekend, will history repeat itself today? Clutching at straws perhaps!

Unfortunately for the Toon Army, Chelsea are likely to have been buoyed by events up at Anfield this afternoon. Arsenal are currently trailing Liverpool 5-1, which is a massive dent to the title challenge. It means that if the Blues win today, they will go above the Gunners in the table.

Of course, Chelsea could end the afternoon as league leaders. For that to happen, they would need to better the result that Man City achieve away at Norwich City. As it stands, the goal difference is in favour of the Citizens.

So, we've heard from Mourinho, now let's get the views of his counterpart Pardew: "It's an important period because we have got two really tough games, I think everybody would appreciate that. However, we really do need to put a performance on the pitch that contains enthusiasm, desire and a real purpose, and that's what we are going to do."

PREDICTION: With around 10 minutes to go until we get started at the Bridge, let's have a stab at guessing the outcome of this clash. It's been a season of surprises, but I really can't see one happening today. Without Remy and Cabaye, Newcastle possess nowhere near as much threat going forward. In contrast, Chelsea have a host of talent in the final third. I'm going for a 3-0 win for the home team.

Right, the players are now heading out of the tunnel and on to the pitch. There is a decent-sized following down from Tyneside, but will they be heading back disappointed? We will find out shortly.

KICKOFF! Newcastle, attacking from left to right during the first half, get this contest started in a sunny West London.

SAVE! A sign of things to come perhaps? The man of the moment Hazard collects possession 20 yards from goal and drives into the Newcastle area. His shot is low and powerful, but Tim Krul gets down in plenty of time to hold the ball. Already the Belgian is looking lively.

CHANCE! Another effort from Chelsea and this time it's Lampard, who drills goalwards from a free kick that is some 30 yards from goal. He evades the Newcastle wall, but the ball is always skidding wide and Krul is able to watch it through to safety.

More positive football from Chelsea involving Oscar, Hazard and Samuel Eto'o. The ball is eventually worked to the edge of the area for a waiting Lampard, but he's charged down before he can get a clean strike on the ball and the danger is eventually cleared. As yet, we've seen nothing from the Magpies as an attacking threat.

SAVE! Better from Newcastle and it's Hatem Ben Arfa that is the shining light. He gets to the left byline, before going on to cut inside Oscar to open up the shooting chance for himself. The strike is lacking in power, though, and Petr Cech gets down towards his near post to hold at the first attempt. Nevertheless, it's a sign of intent from Newcastle.

We've had a delay in play because Newcastle defender Mathieu Debuchy hit the deck with what appears to be either a calf or ankle injury. He's just received treatment and appears to be preparing to re-enter the action, but it's one that Newcastle will need to keep an eye on.

SAVE! Ben Arfa is growing in confidence out there. This time he's released by Sissoko and having cut inside his marker on the edge of the area, the French playmaker fires a low effort towards goal. Again Cech comes out on top, but Ben Arfa is starting to cause the home side a few problems.

SAVE! Ben Arfa is starting to grow in confidence out there. This time he is released by Sissoko and having cut inside his marker on the edge of the area to move the ball on to his stronger left foot, he hits a low shot. Again Cech comes out on top, but Ben Arfa is starting to cause a few problems to the Chelsea defence.

Half opportunities for Chelsea defenders Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic following a Lampard corner. First of all Cahill cannot adjust his feet in time to get a shot away, and then Ivanovic heads straight up into the air and it's easy for Krul to claim.

SAVE! Much tougher work for Krul on this occasion, but he proves himself equal to it. It's a pacey counter-attack down the right with Willian, who drills in a cross. Waiting for the ball is Eto'o, but his flicked effort is blocked by Newcastle's Dutch international keeper.

Moments after Oscar fires wide, Chelsea's man of the moment breaks the deadlock. Ivanovic is the creator, having squared a pass for the lively Belgian. Instead of controlling the ball, he goes for an instant shot 12 yards from goal and is able to sweep the ball across Krul and into the bottom corner of the net. That's a finish from a player that is full of confidence - he's unstoppable right now.

He's shooting from all parts of the pitch right now. After Lampard's cross into the area is cleared, Hazard goes for an immediate shot some 30 yards goal. It passes a mass of bodies inside the area, but also flies an inch or two wide of the upright.

Former Celtic, Arsenal and Wales striker John Hartson has just been discussing Hazard's form on BBC Sport. It's hard to disagree with him:

"A brilliant finish from Hazard. He received a good, strong pass from Ivanovic,. They're difficult balls to deceive sometimes when they come at you at pace, but he whipped it in. I don't think there's a better player playing in the Premier League right now."

SAVE! Newcastle might not get a better chance to draw level today and Sissoko has blown it. He beats the offside trap despite big appeals, but his first touch his heavy. He gets to the ball ahead of Cech, but the Chelsea keeper spreads himself to turn the ball wide of the target.

You will not see a better goal this weekend, no doubt about that. It's all about Hazard as Chelsea break with menace. Willian gives it to Hazard, who moves into the area, before playing in Eto'o. Instead of controlling the ball, the Cameroon striker flicks it through his legs for an advancing Hazard, who curls an effort beyond the reach of Krul with a neat finish. Newcastle should have been level moments before, but now they trail 2-0 and it looks a long way back.

SAVE! Newcastle cannot be accused of not creating chances, but they are wasting them. Sissoko stands up a cross to the back post, where De Jong has lost Luiz. He does everything right in that he heads the ball across Cech and downwards, but there is a lack of power and the Chelsea keeper holds.

SUBSTITUTION: It's game over for Debuchy, who has been unable to shake off that ankle knock. Secretly, he might be happy with that because he no longer has to face Hazard! Now charged with the task of attempting to slay the Belgian is Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa - good luck!

CHANCE! Hazard is human after all. He's just been presented with a very good opening to complete a hat-trick, but his shot from 15 yards out flies high, wide and not very handsome. I suppose that's a bit reassuring for us mere mortals!

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

As it stands, Chelsea are heading to the top of the Premier League table courtesy of two unanswered goals from the silky Hazard.

Well, there won't have been many more first 45 minutes that will have pleased Mourinho as much as this one. His side may have allowed Newcastle a handful of chances, but with their standard of football - particularly on the counter-attack - has been a joy to watch at times. Hazard will quite rightly hog the headlines, but the likes of Willian, Oscar and Eto'o have all played their part.

As for Newcastle, they actually shouldn't be too despondent in terms of their general play. They have carved out some decent openings, but what has let them down is the standard of their finishing. Both Sissoko and De Jong have had very good chances, but neither converted them. When you're up against a player in Hazard's form, you need to make the most of the opportunities that you get.

To be honest, there is not much Pardew can change when you look at the players available to him on the bench. His team need to keep doing what they've been doing, hope that they get lucky at the back and ensure that they convert their chances. Easier said than done, admittedly.

RESTART! Chelsea, leading 2-0, get the second half started at Stamford Bridge.

BOOKING! One of the most obvious yellow cards you will ever see as Ivanovic uses his power to get beyond Sammy Ameobi. However, as he's just about to enter the box, the Newcastle attacker trips up the Serbian and is rightly cautioned by Howard Webb.

Dear oh dear, Krul is almost left with the reddest face in West London! Luiz humps the ball forward from inside his own half, but as the Newcastle keeper comes to collect, he misjudges the flight of the ball, slips and the race is then on for Oscar. Fortunately for the away side, Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder cannot catch up with it as it rolls wide of the post.

And it seems that Krul may have hurt himself during that slip. He's receiving medical treatment for what appears to be an ankle complaint, which he is now having strapped up.

Krul is back up on his feet and is going to continue for now at least.

SAVE! It probably should be 3-0 to Chelsea and had Eto'o been more clinical, it would have been. Ivanovic drills in a cross from the right towards the striker, who takes a touch when he could have easily shot first time. That allows Mike Williamson the chance to slide in and the shot deflects off the Newcastle defender and loops into Krul's hands.

BOOKING! How do you stop Hazard? Well, Yanga-Mbiwa decided that the best policy was to hack out wildly at the Chelsea attacker as he tried to trick his way into the area. The result? A deserved yellow card for the Newcastle defender. From the resultant free kick, Krul tips over Lampard's effort.

What an earth is Yanga-Mbiwa doing? He's lucky to still be on the pitch in truth. He's not watching the ball as Lampard swings over a corner and instead is busy hauling down Eto'o. It's spotted by Webb, who rightly points to the spot. If truth be told, he couldn't have argued if he he received a second yellow card. With Hazard on a hat trick, Lampard gives him the penalty responsibility and he duly converts with a smart finish into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Game over.

With the result now secure, perhaps Mourinho is thinking about introducing Mohamed Salah into the action for a debut? The Egyptian has just been sent out to warm-up.

SUBSTITUTION: There's no debut for Salah just yet as Eto'o takes his leave. He's been replaced by former Newcastle centre-forward Demba Ba. What the Magpies would give to have the Senegalese frontman back!

The game is rather petering out now, with Newcastle seemingly doing for damage limitation. As for Chelsea, they are playing the ball around the pitch with ease, which is being greeted by a cheer from the home faithful.

SUBSTITUTION: Now it's time for the introduction of January signing Salah as he replaces Willian. The Egyptian, who was also wanted by Liverpool, is a speed merchant with a keen eye for goal.

SUBSTITUTIONS: More changes and this time it's both managers that act. Three-goal hero Hazard receives a huge ovation as he is replaced by Andre Schurrle, while Newcastle midfielder Vurnon Anita leaves the action with Sylvain Marveaux taking his place.

CHANCES! Salah's big moment arrives, but he blows it - twice! First of all he shows that explosive pace to race on to Schurrle's through pass. With the angle narrowing, he strikes for goal from 10 yards, but scuffs wide. Then, he's freed by Oscar for an even easier chance, but this time he's denied by Krul. Moments later, Newcastle's afternoon is summed up as Marveaux fires into the side netting when it looked easier to score. What a breathless 90 seconds that was!

BOOKING! Welcome to English football Salah! He's been upended by a wild slide from Sissoko, who is correctly booked by Howard Webb. Soon after, the electronic board tells us that there will be four minutes of stoppage time.

There goes the final whistle and it's a comfortable victory for Chelsea, thanks mainly to their star man right now - Eden Hazard. He leaves the pitch with the match ball tucked under his arm.

And it gets even better for the Blues because Man City could only muster a 0-0 draw away at Manchester City. It means that Chelsea top the Premier League table for the first time since August, with a one-point advantage over Arsenal in second. City, meanwhile, are a point further back in third. It's turning out to be some title race.

That's all we have time for this afternoon. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to keep an eye out for our analysis of this clash, which will be on the site shortly. Until next time, goodbye.