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Chelsea were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge by Newcastle.

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The Blues were not at their fluent best but still created enough chances to have won the game.

Frank Lampard was denied by a stunning Shay Given save and Branislav Ivanovic headed past the post.

Newcastle defended stoutly while Joe Cole had a goal disallowed for offside and Chelsea claimed Given had carried a Lampard free-kick over the line.

Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari cut a dejected figure on the touchline as he saw his side fail to win at home for the third time in four games.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear, who looks set to stay in charge for at least another month after talks with owner Mike Ashley, milked the applause of their fans after they held on for a battling point.

The north-east club went into the game without an away win since March and having not tasted success at Stamford Bridge for 22 years.

They rarely looked like coming away with a victory but were rewarded with a crucial point for a sterling defensive display.

Chelsea should have led when Florent Malouda picked out an advancing Lampard, but his point-blank header was spectacularly kept out by a flying one-handed save by Given.

LAST SEASON’S CORRESPONDING GAME

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United

29 December 2007 – Ref: Mike Riley
Chelsea scorers: Essien 29, Kalou 87
Newcastle scorer: Butt 56