They passed and probed and passed some more, but for all of their huff and puff Chelsea never looked like blowing Newcastle away and Isaac Hayden punished the ponderous visitors with a home winner at the death.
Frank Lampard's dominant side left with zero points and failed to prove one in a month when the club are free to buy players once more - and the manager would be right to consider some inspiration in the final third after this toothless performance.
Tammy Abraham did his hopes of emerging as Harry Kane's England replacement no favours with a clumsy display in front of goal, while fellow Three Lions hopeful Mason Mount was among many in blue who did not do enough to break down the resilient Magpies, who ended a four-game winless run thanks to Hayden's 94th-minute header.