Struggling Newcastle United have proven more than a match for Chelsea in the first half of the Premier League clash at St James' Park, leading the champions through an Ayoze Perez strike at the break.

The Blues had the opportunity to move ahead with just four minutes on the clock when they won a free kick in a dangerous position, Kurt Zouma shooting just inches wide from the set piece.

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There was a half chance for Chelsea in the 12th minute as Branislav Ivanovic lined up Loic Remy at an awkward angle, from which the Frenchman could only steer the ball wide for a goal kick.

The Magpies applied some pressure of their own moments later when Moussa Sissoko skewed an effort just wide of Asmir Begovic's goal, and they threatened again in the 25th minute as Perez drilled wide.

Begovic was called into action on the half-hour mark as Perez combined with Daryl Janmaat and the Dutchman forced a reaction save out of the former Stoke City stopper at close range.

Newcastle were the better team in the first half, and they took a deserved lead three minutes from the break when Janmaat's searching ball got the better of Zouma and Ivanovic, allowing Perez to volley beyond Chelsea's Bosnian keeper and silence the visiting supporters.