It was a successful evening for Calum McFarlane’s side as we took charge of the game from the first whistle to the last.

Dujuan Richards opened the scoring at Whitley Park with a fine, powerful strike, setting the tone for the intensity of the game. Chelsea grew in confidence and soon saw Jesse Derry score his first goal for the club, smashing the ball into the back of the net on his full debut.

In the second half, the Blues maintained our momentum. Substitute Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made an immediate impact, driving forward on a brilliant solo run before producing a clinical finish to net our third.

Shumaira Mheuka followed with a fourth, using his striker’s instinct to slot home from close range, before defender Harrison Murray-Campbell sealed the scoring with a stunning free-kick.

This Friday evening fixture got off to a lively start with the home side putting on instant pressure from the start, keeping our defence busy.

It was the hosts who created the first openings of the contest. Travis Hernes floated a teasing ball into the box for striker Sean Neave, whose header had Chelsea keeper Ted Curd concerned but, fortunately, the effort looped harmlessly over the crossbar.

Leo Shahar was lively for the Magpies, cutting back for Park Seung-Soo on the edge of the area, though his low strike rolled narrowly wide of the far post.

Momentum shifts

It didn’t take long for us to respond and, when the chance came, we took it with style. Richards read a loose Newcastle pass perfectly, stepping in with composure before unleashing a powerful strike from distance. His effort flew into the far corner, leaving Adam Harrison with no chance and handing the Blues a deserved 1-0 lead.

Moments later, it looked as though our lead had been doubled. Landon Emenalo’s corner caused problems inside the Newcastle box, with Derry keeping the ball alive amid the scramble. Murray-Campbell applied the decisive touch to turn it home, only for the referee to rule it out for a foul in the build-up. The score remained 1-0.

Newcastle pressed in search of an equaliser and forced Curd into action. Anthony Munda tried his luck with a curling effort from range, but our keeper reacted brilliantly, leaping high to push the ball away from danger.

First start, first goal!

We struck again before the break. Emenalo slid a clever short pass into the path of Derry, who drove forward down the flank with pace. Skipping past Shahar, the winger burst into the box and rifled a powerful finish into the far corner. The summer arrival marked the moment with a big celebration

We nearly added a third before the interval through a flowing move. Richards combined neatly with captain Mheuka, sliding a pass to the striker inside the box. Shumaira's low shot was on target, but Harrison rushed from his line to deny him.

After a lively first half, the Blues went into the interval 2-0 up, putting us firmly in the ascendancy for the final 45 minutes.

Derry remained lively as Chelsea returned to action under the floodlights. Leo Cardoso was introduced and quickly made an impact, setting up Derry for a goalscoring opportunity. Our winger showcased his tricky footwork once again, hammering a close-range strike, but Newcastle keeper Harrison was equal to it. Kavuma-McQueen soon came on to take Derry’s place.

Newcastle responded with a chance of their own. Park met a Magpies cross with a powerful flicked header in the centre of the box but, to Chelsea’s relief, it flashed wide of the post.

No holding back

Chelsea’s third goal was a moment of individual brilliance. Emenalo picked out Kavuma-McQueen just past the halfway line. The winger surged forward on a brilliant solo run and, upon entering the penalty area, smashed a low strike into the far corner, giving Chelsea a well-deserved third.

The fourth followed soon after. Cardoso produced some stylish work as he drove towards the penalty area and unleashed a shot on target. Harrison managed to make the initial save, but Mheuka was perfectly positioned to pounce on the rebound from close range, slotting home a simple and clinical finish.

As Newcastle looked to find a route back into the game, Trevan Sanusi tried his luck from outside the penalty box. Curd remained alert, producing a strong save to maintain our clean sheet.

To finish off a perfect evening, it was Murray-Campbell’s turn to make his mark. After Reggie Walsh was fouled, Chelsea were awarded a free-kick in an ideal position just outside the area. Murray-Campbell stepped up and swung his shot beautifully into the bottom corner, sealing a 5-0 victory and capping a successful evening of football.

What it means

An excellent start means the Blues have maximum points from our opening two games of the Premier League 2 season, with an impressive eight goals scored in 180 minutes of football so far.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s will begin our EFL Vertu Trophy campaign on Tuesday 26 August, with an away trip to Shrewsbury Town at The Croud Meadow. Kick-off is at 7pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Ted Curd; Genesis Antwi (Kian Best 86), Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Landon Emenalo (Richard Olise 76); Ollie Harrison, Harrison McMahon, Reggie Walsh; Dujuan Richards (Leo Cardoso h-t); Shumaira Mheuka (c), Jesse Derry (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 58)
Unused sub: Isaac Collinson
Scorers: Richards 16, Derry 37, Kavuma-McQueen 69, Mheuka 74, Murray-Campbell 84
Booked: Murray-Campbell 45+4

Newcastle United: Adam Harrison, Leo Shahar, Dylan Charlton, Alex Murphy (Charlie McArthur 61), Cathal Haffernan (c), Travis Hernes (Scott Bailey 61), Trevan Sanusi, Anthony Munda, Sean Neave (Kacey Wooster 80), Alfie Harrison, Park Seung-Soo (Kyle Fitzgerald 73)
Unused sub: James Taylor
Booked: Neave 45+4, Shahar 68, McArthur 82