Chelsea ruin Shearer homecoming with 2-0 win

Chelsea proved unpopular guests at the Alan Shearer homecoming party on Saturday as they won 2-0 at St James' Park to stay in the Premier League title hunt and leave Newcastle United mired in relegation trouble.

Goals by Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda early in the second half ruined the comeback of former Newcastle striker Shearer, who has taken charge until the end of the season.

He faces a tough task in keeping his side up after they slipped three points from safety following good results for most of the teams immediately above them.

Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, Stoke City won 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers thrashed Middlesbrough 4-1 and Hull City and Portsmouth drew 0-0.

Chelsea's victory takes them to 64 points, level with Liverpool, who visit Fulham later on Saturday, and one behind Manchester United, who host Aston Villa on Sunday.

Arsenal consolidated fourth place on 58 points after long-term absentees Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor combined for the latter to score both goals in their 2-0 home win over Manchester City.