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| Mark Stein scores for Chelsea |
As Chelsea prepare for the visit of Newcastle United this weekend, time for another trip into fixtures past.
This is perhaps not the most obvious pick. There have certainly been more goal laden affairs. But its good to remember that Chelsea have not always had it so easy. There was once a time in the Premier League era when relegation was a very real possibility.
Newcastle United were flying high in their first season back in the top flight with striker Andy Cole well on his way to reaching 40 goals for the season.
Chelsea were struggling. Badly. They hadn't won in 11 Premier League matches and had picked up just two points in that time. The very day before they had suffered a 3-1 defeat away at Southampton.
Only one goal was needed this day and it came from the boot of Mark Stein. Steino jinked his way through the Newcastle defence before putting the ball past Mike Hooper to win three very important points for Chelsea.
It was a catalyst for Chelsea's season. Mark Stein scored in seven consecutive matches, a Premier League record until it was broken by Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2000. Chelsea finished a comfortable 14th and reached the FA Cup Final (though the less said about that game the better).
