Chelsea into second after Newcastle draw

English Premier League champions Chelsea moved up to second place in the table after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The result left Chelsea ahead of London rivals Arsenal on goal difference and two points behind leaders Manchester United.

England striker Andy Carroll gave Newcastle a sixth-minute lead after a defensive mix-up before the Ivory Coast’s Salomon Kalou dragged the Blues level on the stroke of half-time at a snow-covered St James’.

“It was difficult at the beginning because we had a mistake but we had a good reaction,” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told Sky Sports.

The Italian, whose own position has been called into question by a run of results that has now seen the Londoners win just one of their last five league matches, added: “I think the performance was good and we were unlucky.

“But in four games we’ve scored just one goal and that’s not enough.

“We’ve lost the top (position) in the table and we have to run (chase) now, we have to improve and do better.”

And he insisted the various off-field dramas at Stamford Bridge, including the unexpected departure of former assistant manager Ray Wilkins, could not be blamed for recent results.

“I don’t think so. The performance was good this game, we just have to convert the chances we had.”

The draw saw Newcastle move up into ninth place in the table, ahead of Liverpool’s match away to Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday, and Magpies manager Chris Hughton said: “Credit to every one of our players.

“We got to a stage where we knew we had to dig in but we also got to a stage where, if you can ever be a little comfortable against the quality of what they (Chelsea) have got, we ended up being a touch comfortable.”

The fixture saw Sol Campbell make his first league start for Newcastle and afterwards the former England central defender said: “It’s always nice to come back at home, whenever it comes you’ve got to take it and get on with it.

“I’ve been training hard, working hard, and it’s great to be out there.”