Graeme Jones has called on Newcastle’s owners to make a managerial appointment after the team’s winless start extended to 10 matches.
Having resisted for more than an hour against Chelsea, the home side crumbled and conceded three times inside 15 minutes, Reece James scoring twice before Jorginho netted from the penalty spot.
It leaves the Magpies 19th in the Premier League and three points from safety with a trip to in-form Brighton to come before the international break.
Interim Jones believes they have enough to survive, but said: ‘We are in a relegation battle.