Alan Shearer sums up Newcastle's defeat to Chelsea in 13 words

Benitez's side took the lead through a Dwight Gayle goal.

But the Premier League champions fought back to win 3-1 thanks to two goals from Eden Hazard, one of which came from the penalty spot, and a strike from Alvaro Morata.

Hazard was outstanding for third-placed Chelsea.

United – who have taken one point from their last six games – remain 12th in the Premier League.

Former Newcastle captain and all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer reacted to the defeat on Twitter.

"No complaints today," tweeted Shearer. "Effort was there but beaten by a much better team."

United manager Benitez, again without injured captain Jamaal Lascelles, used a 5-4-1 formation with Gayle, preferred to Joselu, at the tip.

And Gayle put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute with a neat finish after Chelsea failed to deal with a hopeful ball up to the striker.

Antonio Conte's side, however, fought back strongly. Karl Darlow denied Hazard and clattered into Morata, and Andreas Christensen also struck the post.

The were level in the 21st minute. Florian Lejeune could only clear a diagonal ball from Cesar Azpilicueta as far as Hazard, who beat Darlow with a first-time shot.

Newcastle moved the ball well when they did get into the opposition half, but the home side moved it even quicker.

Chelsea took the lead in the 32nd minute. Victor Moses broke into space down United's left and crossed for Morata, who headed past Darlow from close range. Conte's players were seemingly in control of the game as the break neared.

United, however, didn't roll over, and they probed away in the second half. Benitez sent on Isaac Hayden – he replaced Ayoze Perez – for the last half hour.

And the game was all but put beyond Newcastle in the 74th minute when Hazard scored a cheeky Panenka penalty after Matt Ritchie brought down Moses.

Jonjo Shelvey and DeAndre Yedlin followed Perez on to the pitch. Shelvey tried his luck from distance, but United couldn't find a way back into the match.

CHELSEA: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen (Cahill, 80), Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Drinkwater, Fabregas (Bakayoko, 78), Alonso; Hazard (Willian, 78), Morata. Subs not used: Caballero, Pedro, Zappacpsta, Batshuayi.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Manquillo, Lejeune, Mbemba, Clark; Merino (Yedlin, 85), Diame (Shelvey, 75); Murphy, Perez (Hayden, 61), Ritchie; Gayle. Subs not used: Elliot, Aarons, Joselu, Mitrovic.

Goals: Gayle 12, Hazard 20, 74 (pen), Morata 32

Booking: Clark 45

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Attendance: