Gary Neville believes Chelsea's first-half performance at Newcastle United on Saturday was absurd.

The reigning champions should have been motivated for a massive performance at St James' Park after finding out early-season pacesetters Manchester City had been humbled 4-1 at Tottenham earlier in the day.

According to Neville, that result should have given Jose Mourinho's side the confidence to go out and play the Magpies off the park but the former Manchester United captain could not believe what they put up.

"They had a massive opportunity on Saturday, absolutely massive," he said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"City had been beaten earlier in the day, and they'll still be looking at City and thinking 'They're the ones we have to catch', I know United went top of the table, but they'll be thinking how City were beaten earlier in the day.

"The boost that should have given that Chelsea team to fly out of the blocks in the first half, and to give the performance they did in that first-half is ridiculous.

"This is not a blip now, this is dragging on, and they need to come out of it. I'm not sure where that's coming from but they need to get out of it pretty quickly."