Chelsea are now top the Barclays Premier League only on goal difference from Manchester United and their trip to Newcastle, humbled 5-1 at Bolton last weekend, provides them with a perfect opportunity to end their problems in front of goal.

And Danny Sturridge warned that it is only a matter of time before they start hitting the net in numbers again.

"We need to be putting more away," said Sturridge. "We are trying our best and working on our finishing every day but the ball is just not running for us at the moment.

"We are taking 25 shots and only scoring two but it will only be a matter of time before we score a five, six or seven.

"We are playing with confidence again after last night's performance. Hopefully we can score some of the chances we create.

"The last few games have been hard but we have confidence and we need to kick on."