NEWCASTLE (England), Nov 2: French duo Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy scored second-half goals as Newcastle United ended Chelsea’s nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions with a 2-0 victory in the Premier League at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Frenchmen combined to hand Jose Mourinho’s team their first defeat since mid-September.

The Blues, who also missed the opportunity to move provisionally top of the standings, have 20 points from 10 matches — two points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Newcastle had won only once at home this season and Alan Pardew’s team were looking for a much-needed victory after their 2-1 defeat by Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby last weekend.

There was little to choose between the teams in a drab first half in the rain but Newcastle were the brighter side after the break and thoroughly deserved to take all three points.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was called upon three times in five minutes to keep Newcastle at bay, thwarting Moussa Sissoko, Remy and Gouffran in quick succession as Pardew’s men took the upper hand.

Mourinho reacted by sending on Willian for Juan Mata, only for Newcastle to open the scoring in the 68th minute when Gouffran converted Yohan Cabaye’s free-kick with a diving header.

Mourinho introduced Andre Schuerrle and Samuel Eto’o, and the Cameroonian felt he should have been awarded a penalty soon after coming on when his goal-bound half-volley struck the arm of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Nothing was given though, and after Willian, Eto’o, Schuerrle and Eden Hazard all went close to an equaliser, Remy swept home a neat cut-back from Vurnon Anita in the 89th minute to seal Chelsea’s fate.—Agencies