Chelsea have progressed through to the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle had the better of the opening half-hour, but two goals from Michy Batshuayi put the home side in full control at the break.
The Blues dominated in the second period, with Marcos Alonso scoring his seventh goal of the campaign with a free kick from 25 yards.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in West London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
12.31pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the FA Cup fourth round between Chelsea and Newcastle United. The Blues head into the game having suffered defeat in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, but can Antonio Conte inspire his side to a win over a slowly-improving Magpies? Let's see who features in each starting lineup...
12.32pmCHELSEA XI: Caballero; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Kante, Alonso; Pedro, Batshuayi, Hazard
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Eduardo, Ampadu, Moses, Fabregas, Barkley, Musonda, Hudson-Odoi
12.34pmNEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Darlow; Manquillo, Mbemba, Lascelles, Clark; Haidara, Shelvey, Saivet, Hayden, Ritchie; Gayle
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Woodman, Yedlin, Dummett, Diame, Atsu, Murphy, Joselu
12.36pmLet's start by looking at the Chelsea team news, with Conte opting to make a total of four changes to his starting lineup. One alteration was enforced, with Willian missing the game with a hamstring injury. It means that Michy Batshuayi is able to come back into the team in attack.
12.38pmThere is also a return to the starting lineup for Gary Cahill, with Cesar Azpilicueta being given the afternoon off, while Davide Zappacosta has replaced Victor Moses at right wing-back. Marcos Alonso starts due to Kenedy's loan move to St James' Park.
12.40pmThe fourth and final change sees Danny Drinkwater replace Tiemoue Bakayoko in midfield. Bakayoko is another who has played a lot of football this season, with 33 appearances having been made in all competitions, which includes 26 starts.
12.42pmOn the bench, Ethan Ampadu, Charly Musonda and Callum Hudson-Odoi all make an appearance - as does Ross Barkley - but there is no place for David Luiz. I think most people had expected the Brazilian to feature in the starting lineup this afternoon so perhaps he has picked up a knock in training.
12.44pmLet's switch our attention to Newcastle, with Rafael Benitez opting to make five alterations. One of those comes in attack as Dwight Gayle replaces Joselu. Gayle has already netted a goal at Stamford Bridge this season so maybe that was a factor in Benitez's decision-making.
12.46pmThere is also an extremely rare start for Massadio Haidara, who has not featured all season. The Frenchman has made just three appearances in 18 months, with his last outing coming in May. He will either play at left-back or on the left wing.
12.48pmWe are also going to get to see Henri Saivet for just the fourth time this season. The central midfielder scored a memorable goal in the 3-2 win at West Ham United earlier in the season but since then, he has played just 10 minutes of football. Big opportunity for him this afternoon.
12.50pmBenitez has plenty of options on the bench, including former Chelsea winger Christian Atsu. Well, I say former Chelsea winger, but Atsu never actually made an appearance for the Blues, despite being signed for £3.5m.
12.52pmIn the third round, Chelsea made extremely hard work of getting past Norwich City. After a goalless draw at Carrow Road, the Blues were denied by a last-minute equaliser in normal time and then had two men sent off in extra time. However, they were perfect from the spot in a penalty shootout. Click here to read back on that replay at Stamford Bridge.
12.54pmNewcastle had an easier time of it against Luton Town. Three goals in nine first-half minutes effectively got the job done at St James' Park, although the League Two side did perform well during the second half and deserved their consolation strike.
12.56pmChelsea ended 2017 with 10 wins and three draws from 14 matches, but it has been an entirely different story during the opening weeks of 2018. Just one victory has come from seven outings, with five draws being recorded if you include the 1-1 scoreline after extra time with Norwich City.
12.58pmGoals remain a big issue for Conte. His side were superb in the 4-0 demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium last weekend but aside from that, there have been four goals in 570 minutes of football.
1.00pmIn Morata's absence, Batshuayi gets another opportunity to impress and maybe it will be the Belgian's last Chelsea outing for some time. His future reportedly hinges of whether Conte is able to bring in Roma's Edin Dzeko - or another frontman - before Wednesday night. Click here to read the latest on the 31-year-old.
1.02pmBatshuayi has his critics but the 24-year-old deserves credit for his contribution in a stop-start 18 months at Stamford Bridge. In 17 starts and 35 - THIRTY FIVE - substitute outings, he has still scored 17 goals. Maybe he doesn't fit Conte's tactics, but he is still a quality forward.
1.04pmBatshuayi is not the only Chelsea player who finds himself under pressure. Ross Barkley was thrown into the mix off the bench in midweek and will no doubt be wanting to make an impression in his first appearance in front of the home crowd, should he be introduced from the bench. However, Conte says that the playmaker has plenty of work to do. Click here to read the Italian's thoughts.
1.06pmAn update on David Luiz...
.@DavidLuiz_4 isn't involved today after picking up a knock to his ankle in training. #CHENEW pic.twitter.com/mIX56zNkJN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 28 January 2018
1.08pmLet's focus on Newcastle, and Benitez could have perhaps taken the positives from Chelsea losing to Arsenal in midweek, but the former Blues boss is not thinking along those lines. Click here to read what the the Spaniard has had to say.
1.10pmBenitez probably won't get a warm reception from the home fans but he will be proud of his record at the West Londoners. Benitez recorded 28 wins and 10 draws from 48 games in all competitions, finished in the top three of the Premier League and won the Europa League. It was some effort.
1.12pmChelsea are naturally the favourites this afternoon but Newcastle have done well on the road this season. The Magpies have recorded wins at Swansea City, West Ham and Stoke City respectively, while there have also been comeback draws at West Bromwich Albion and Southampton.
1.14pmThe North-East outfit also have a tendency of scoring at the bigger clubs. They have netted at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium this season, while they wasted numerous chances against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Benitez likes to show ambition in away matches.
1.16pmThat said, the goals continue to be shared throughout the squad. Joselu remains the club's top goalscorer in the Premier League with just four strikes, a figure which is matched by Ayoze Perez in all competitions.
1.18pmPREDICTION! We are expecting a close contest this afternoon. Chelsea are slightly depleted and still inconsistent, while Newcastle showed earlier this season that they weren't completely overawed at Stamford Bridge. We are backing the Blues to run out 2-1 winners.
1.20pmHEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 162nd time in which these two teams are meeting in a competitive match, with Chelsea having recorded 70 wins in comparison to 52 victories for the Magpies.
1.22pmThe two teams have been on completely different paths since 2010, but that does not mean that the most recent head-to-head record is not close. Newcastle have managed to record five wins and three draws from the last 14 encounters, although Chelsea are unbeaten in the last four.
1.24pmThe most recent clash came at the start of December, with Chelsea running out 3-1 winners in West London. However, it was not a walk in the park for the home side. Click here to read back on that match.
1.26pmIt's time for the two teams to make their way out at Stamford Bridge. There's not quite the buzz around the ground that there has been earlier in the campaign, but the home supporters need to get behind their side. This feels like a massive game in the grand scheme of things.
1.29pmA reminder of the two teams...
CHELSEA XI: Caballero; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Kante, Alonso; Pedro, Batshuayi, Hazard
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Darlow; Manquillo, Mbemba, Lascelles, Clark; Haidara, Shelvey, Saivet, Hayden, Ritchie; Gayle
1 minKICKOFF! Chelsea get us underway.
2 minIt's been a quiet start at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea dominating possession in the middle of the park. Newcastle happy to sit deep for now.
4 minNewcastle's first break forward almost leads to a chance. Gayle was found on the edge of the penalty area but he was just about crowded out by the Chelsea defence.
6 minStill no chances at Stamford Bridge but the tackles are starting to fly in, especially from the visitors. The Magpies have perhaps just shaded the opening exchanges.
8 minIt's difficult to work out this Newcastle formation. They are playing with three centre-backs and wing-backs, but the four in the middle are all interchanging. Gayle is the loan man in attack.
10 minWe are through 10 minutes in this match and I don't think Darlow has touched the ball in the Newcastle goal. The Blues are off the pace so far.
12 minFinally, a bit of pressure from Chelsea but it has resulted in an injury. Zappacosta was caught on the ankle when delivering a cross and it's ripped his sock. It looked a painful one.
14 minNewcastle have since regained possession and are spraying the ball about with ease. They are playing like they are the home side and are in control of this game.
16 minOne thing Newcastle aren't doing well is tackling. The Magpies have given away numerous fouls during the first 15 minutes, the latest of which has led to a Chelsea free kick around 20 yards from goal.
17 minBOOKING! Mbemba's foul on Hazard has resulted in a yellow card as well. Hazard's free kick was poor, and straight into the wall.
19 minChelsea are improving but they are still barely out of first gear. Neither team have forced the goalkeepers into any work. It's a quiet game in every aspect.
21 minHalf a chance for Newcastle. Chelsea make a mess of things at the back and Ritchie tees up Gayle for what should be a shot from 16 yards, but Gayle tries to be too clever in passing the ball back to his teammate and Chelsea intercept.
23 minLoud chants for Benitez coming from the visiting supporters. Not so much from the home fans, who have barely acknowledged their former Europa-League-winning manager.
25 minCHANCE! We have had a shot on goal! A near-post cross found the run of Shelvey, whose volley had to be tipped wide of the post by Caballero. Newcastle remain the better team in this match.
27 minChelsea respond with an attack of their own and it takes a solid block from an Alonso shot to prevent the wing-back finding the target. Not sure it had enough pace to beat Darlow, however.
29 minThis performance from Chelsea will only support Conte's claims that he needs reinforcements. There's just no urgency to their play. They have played a lot of games with a small'ish squad and it feels like it is catching up on them.
31 minGOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle United (Michy Batshuayi)
31 minJust like that, Chelsea take the lead. An exquisite pass from Pedro finds the run of Hazard and after the Belgian passes to Alonso, the left wing-back pokes the ball over to Batshuayi who converts from six yards. It's his ninth of the season.
33 minNewcastle almost provide the perfect response. Haidara's cross is superb and should be met by a teammate in and around the six-yard box, but no-one reacts fast enough.
35 minDespite falling behind, Newcastle continue to have more of the ball and are dictating more of the play. Benitez will be annoyed to be facing a deficit after a strong opening half-hour.
36 minSHOT! Newcastle's second shot on target comes from Gayle, who drags a low effort towards the far corner which is claimed by Caballero.
38 minChelsea win a corner from the right and it causes all kind of problems in the Newcastle area. Darlow almost brings down Christensen but withdraws his foot at the last moment.
40 minSHOT! Wowzers. Rudiger has nearly just scored a goal-of-the-month contender. The defender cut inside onto his weaker left foot before curling a 25-yard strike inches wide of the far post.
42 minThe challenges from Newcastle continue to fly in. They have to be careful with finding a balance because if one of these are mis-timed, it could easily result in a red card.
44 minGOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United (Michy Batshuayi)
44 minChelsea net their second and so does Batshuayi! Hazard plays in the striker and his effort from 14 yards takes a deflection off Hayden and loops into the net. Darlow had no chance.
45 minThere will be two minutes of added-on time.
45+2 minSHOT! Newcastle still continue to impress. Shelvey's low effort from 20 yards takes a slight deflection and Caballero has to tip the ball behind for a corner.
45+3 minCHANCE! From the resulting corner, Mbemba gets a shot on goal and Caballero is forced to tip wide again!
45+3 minHALF TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United
2.21pmThe half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea lead thanks to two goals from Batshuayi. The Blues do not deserve to be two goals ahead but the Belgian has been in the right place at the right time, as well as having a bit of luck. Tough ask for Newcastle now.
2.24pmAfter Newcastle had been the better side for half-an-hour, Chelsea struck when Pedro, Hazard and Alonso all combined to give Batshuayi what was effectively a tap in from six yards. Despite being tipped for the exit door, it represented his ninth of the campaign.
2.27pmBatshuayi's second had an element of fortune to it but the striker did everything right. He kept his shot low and on target, and took the good luck which went his way off the boot of Hayden. It takes a massive deflection but it has to be Batshuayi's goal.
2.31pmNewcastle do not deserve to be two goals down in this match and have created more chances than their hosts, but it is difficult to see the Magpies getting back into this match. Don't be surprised to see Murphy or Atsu introduced into the action.
46 minKICKOFF! Newcastle get us back underway.
48 minLike in the first half, little has happened since the restart. Chelsea are trying to make things happen but nothing has paid off thus far.
50 minMore of the same as Newcastle look intent on ensuring that they do not fall further behind at this stage. It's effectively a back five with a holding midfielder when they don't have the ball.
51 minSHOT! Almost a third for Chelsea. Lascelles's poor clearance goes straight to Pedro, who drills a shot from 20 yards marginally over the crossbar.
53 minThere's definitely a greater urgency from Chelsea. The front players have been instructed to chase down every ball in the Magpies defence, and their work is paying off because the visitors are making mistakes and staying trapped in their own half for the most part.
55 minNewcastle have improved over the last two minutes. It's Chelsea's turn to be pressed back. However, Saivet's 40-yard effort ends the spell of pressure, with the attempt going well off target.
56 minSHOT! Alonso nearly scores a worldie. Zappacosta's deep cross is met by the Spaniard, whose deflected volley is parried by Darlow. It's a very good save.
58 minIt surely can't be long until Benitez pulls the trigger with his substitutions. Newcastle need to pose a different threat.
60 minThe action has gone a big quiet again. It suits Chelsea but something needs to happen to get the supporters fully engaged again. The Blues are coasting to victory, as it stands.
62 minFrom a Chelsea perspective, it feels the perfect time to get Barkley on for his home debut and give Hazard a rest. We are yet to see any movement from the bench, but with Premier League fixtures in midweek, don't expect the Belgian playmaker to feature for 90 minutes.
63 minSHOT! The ball falls invitingly for Drinkwater inside the penalty area but the midfielder drags a left-footed effort well wide of the post.
64 minSUBSTITUTION! The first change of the match sees Joselu replace Gayle in Newcastle's attack.
66 minYou could hear a pin drop at Stamford Bridge. It's not quite a game being played at the pace of a friendly, but not much is happening at all.
68 minA bit better from Chelsea, who manage to get Hazard back on the ball inside the penalty area, but Newcastle get men back and manage to get the ball out for a corner.
70 minIt's almost time for Barkley, who is waiting to be introduced on the touchline.
72 minGOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle United (Marcos Alonso)
72 minIt's definitely game over now. Chelsea win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Alonso curls a delightful free kick into the top corner from 25 yards out.
73 minSUBSTITUTION! On comes Barkley, with Hazard the man to make way.
75 minI thought that Conte may take the opportunity to throw on Musonda or Hudson-Odoi, but Fabregas is going to be introduced instead after a couple of weeks out through injury.
77 minSUBSTITUTION! Newcastle make a second switch, with Murphy replacing Manquillo.
78 minSUBSTITUTION! Conte follows suit by introducing Ampadu, who comes on for Kante. Fabregas is not coming on after all.
79 minBack to the action and Newcastle are finally starting to give this more of a go. It's far too late. Murphy gets a weak volley on target but Caballero makes the easy claim.
81 minSHOT! Zappacosta lovers a long-ranger and he forces Darlow into an excellent save from distance, with his strike being tipped over the bar.
82 minSUBSTITUTION! Conte decides to hand a first-team debut to Hudson-Odoi, who gets a chance to impress in place of Pedro.
83 minSUBSTITUTION! The flurry of changes come to an end with Atsu coming on for Hayden.
85 minThose alterations have inevitably hindered the tempo of the game. Hopefully the new arrivals can spark the match into life before the full-time whistle.
87 minHudson-Odoi just had a chance to do something inside the final third but the youngster picked the wrong option and sent the ball out of play. There are a few nerves.
88 minCHANCE! Batshuayi nearly completes his hat-trick. The forward deceived a defender on the byline and understandably shoots from an acute angle. However, Darlow stays big and makes the block.
90 minThere will be two minutes of added-on time. Batshuayi looks full of confidence now and after taking on more players, sees another shot saved by Darlow.
90+2 minWe are going to have more time added one because Rudiger and Joselu have clashed heads. It's a nasty one too with Rudiger coming off worse. He looked out of it after the initial contact but he is back on his feet.
90+4 minFULL TIME: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle United
3.26pmThe full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea complete a 3-0 win over Newcastle to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The visitors had their moments, but Chelsea deserve their victory, with Batshuayi netting twice on what could be his last outing for the Blues this season.
3.28pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
