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English Premier League 2014-15
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Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse scores the opening goal past Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois at St James' Park. Photo: Reuters

Clinical Papiss Cisse brace ends Blues' unbeaten run

Newcastle substitute scores twice in second half as tight defence holds off Chelsea's attacks, dashing league leaders hopes of setting club record of 24 matches without defeat

Substitute Papiss Cisse scored twice as leaders Chelsea's hopes of completing the Premier League season unbeaten were dashed by a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United yesterday.

In another upset, Stoke handed Arsenal another dispiriting loss at Britannia Stadium, scoring three goals in the first half and then withstanding a late comeback attempt for a 3-2 victory.

Cisse scored twice in the second half and despite Steven Taylor being sent off for Newcastle and Didier Drogba replying late on for the visitors, Alan Pardew's side held on for a third consecutive home win over Chelsea.

The six minutes [stoppage time] could have been 20
Jose Mourinho

Newcastle prevented Chelsea from setting a club record of 24 games without defeat.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho turned his ire on Newcastle fans and even the ball boys.

The Portuguese accused the home fans of time-wasting.

Papiss Cisse celebrates after scoring Newcastle's second goal. Photo: EPA

"The six minutes [stoppage time] could have been 20," Mourinho told the BBC after their first Premier League defeat of the season halted their impressive march.

"Things that were happening outside the four lines are things that the referee cannot control. He cannot punish the ball boy that disappears, he cannot punish the people in the crowd who keep the ball, he cannot punish the person who throws the ball, so we have two balls on the pitch at the same time."

Chelsea recalled top scorer Diego Costa after he missed Wednesday's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur through suspension and they started brightly at St James' Park, with Willian twice shooting narrowly wide.

But Newcastle defended stoutly and began to threaten, with Ayoze Perez slipping a clever pass to Jack Colback in the 32nd minute, only for Thibaut Courtois to rush out and save.

John Mikel Obi spurned a good chance to put Chelsea ahead in the 57th minute when he headed wide from a Cesc Fabregas free kick and within seconds, Newcastle took the lead.

Moussa Sissoko fed Sammy Ameobi on the left flank and after Gary Cahill failed to cut out the 22-year-old's low cross, Senegal striker Cisse tapped home from inside the six-yard box.

Mourinho sent on Andre Schuerrle, Drogba and Filipe Luis and with 12 minutes left, Eden Hazard saw a shot come back off the base of the right-hand post.

Once again, Newcastle were quick to exploit their good fortune. Colback's pass freed Sissoko and although the France midfielder was unable to get a shot away, he managed to toe the ball square to the waiting Cisse, who swept home his second goal.

Home captain Taylor saw red moments later after being shown a second card for upending Schuerrle and Drogba halved the deficit from the ensuing free-kick by heading in Fabregas' cross.

But despite having to endure six nail-biting minutes of injury time, Newcastle survived.

Pardew heaped praise on his side. "That was about character and discipline against probably the best team in Europe at the moment," said Pardew. "We're delighted to have given a little gee up to the Premier League. I'm sure Jose won't agree."

As well as defending champions Manchester City, Chelsea's loss will also offer hope to third-place Southampton and fourth-place Manchester United, who meet at St Mary's tomorrow.

In other matches, it was a 0-0 draw for Sunderland at Liverpool, Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur and West Bronwich Albion at Hull City, while QPR beat Burnley 2-0.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Clinical Cisse endsBlues' unbeaten run
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