Chelsea eased to victory over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, in what was a performance of old from the defending Premier League champions.
Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian put the Blues three goals up with less than 20 minutes on the clock, making it game over for the Magpies before the referee had even blown for half time.
Pedro later scored his second, while Betrand Traore rubbed further salt into Newcastle’s wounds to make it five, before Andros Townsend netted a late consolation strike.
Chelsea made an intense start, showing their intent to immediately ruffle the feathers of relegation-threatened Newcastle.
Nemanja Matic came close in the opening few minutes after taking advantage of a dire clearance from January arrival Townsend, but his effort brushed the side netting.
This was an example of what was to come from the below-par defending Premier League champions, as just seconds later Diego Costa opened the scoring for the hosts.
Willian breezed past Cheick Tioté from deep inside Newcastle’s half before playing Costa into the box, and the former Atletico Madrid forward made no mistake, shrugging off the challenge from Steven Taylor and firing the ball into the back of the net.
Their lead was soon doubled, after a loose pass from Rolando Aarons was cut out by the energised Pedro.
The Spaniard wasted no time in breaking forward having stolen the ball from Aarons, and within seconds was one-on-one with Rob Elliot before outfoxing the stopper to fire home his fourth of the season.
Newcastle grew in possession after going two goals down, creating chances of their own, but Chelsea looked the far more dangerous side, seeming unsatisfied by their already comfortable lead.
And in sticking with what had been a clinical opening from the Blues, Willian gave his side a three-goal cushion.
The Magpies again lost the ball in midfield, allowing Fabregas to orchestrate a quick counter-attack. The ex-Barcelona man delivered a delightful ball into the path of Costa in the penalty area and the Brazil-born striker fended off Fabricio Coloccini before setting up Willian with the simplest of finishes.
Newcastle weren’t struggling to get hold of the ball, but for all their possession, they offered little threat or intent.
Guus Hiddink will have been left worried, though, when Captain John Terry was forced off after picking up a knock following a tangle with Aleksandar Mitrović.
The former England captain was replaced by Abdul Baba Rahman, resulting in Branislav Ivanovic moving in alongside Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta switching to the right flank.
The change, however, had little impact for the remainder of the first half, with Newcastle remaining void of ideas and sloppy on the ball.
At half-time, it already seemed game over for the Magpies.
The visitors will no doubt have endured a dressing-down from manager Steve McClaren – and they started the second half far brighter.
For all their possession, though, they had nothing to show for it and eventually Chelsea scored their fourth of the game.
Cesc Fabregas, once more, delivered a perfect ball over the Newcastle defence, which was met by Pedro who again expressed no nerves in front of goal, coolly sending his low strike past an exposed Elliot.
Still with over twenty minutes on the clock, McClaren opted for a tactical reshuffle, bringing Jamaal Lascelles on for Tioté, switching to three at the back.
The decision had little effect on proceedings, though, and late on Betrand Traore grabbed his first Premier League for the Blues, making it five goals to the good.
Andros Towsend later pulled one back for the visitors, scoring his first for his new club with a powerful strike from outside the box, leaving Chelsea frustrated at not keeping a clean sheet.
Ultimately, however, the Blues’ work was finished at half time, in what was an afternoon to forget for Newcastle.