It was no fairytale beginning for Alan Shearer in his first game in temporary charge of Newcastle United as his side were defeated 2-0 by Chelsea at St James' Park. Goal.com rates the players on show...

Harper -7.0: A string of fine saves only delayed the inevitable, and Harper was helpless on both of Chelsea's goals. Kept the score respectable late on with a one-on-one stop from Kalou.

R.Taylor -5.0: Caught sleeping positionally on numerous occasions. Lost Malouda time and again, including on the Frenchman's goal. Taylor's crosses were also hit-and-miss.

Coloccini -4.0: May have the best hairstyle in the Premier League, but this wins him no favours. A disastrous afternoon, and a catastrophic error that gifted Chelsea the lead. Now we know why Milan used to loan Coloccini out season after season.

Beye -5.0: A fantastic last gasp tackle denied Anelka on the half-hour mark, but thereafter he struggled alongside Coloccini. Partly at fault for Malouda's goal.

Jose Enrique -6.0: A generally limited defender, Enrique put in an honest shift, and was the equal to Kalou for most of the game. The best of a bad Newcastle backline.

Gutierrez -7.0: A really fine player is the Argentine, Newcastle will struggle to keep hold of him in the summer. Composed in possession, Cole did not fancy his personal battle against 'Spiderman'.

Butt -6.5: Led by example, and tried his very best to fire up the troops. Some biting tackles in the midfield, Butt began to tire in the second half.

Nolan -6.0: Worked hard, but was clearly second best in the middle-of-the-park. Substituted midway through the second period as the game slipped away from Newcastle.

Lovenkrands -6.5: Had some bright moments in the first half, and his cross on 27 minutes almost set-up Martins for an easy header. However, the Dane was forced off with injury just before half time.

Martins -6.0: Ran and ran and ran, but was a bit of a headless chicken. Reacted too slow to a great chance on 19 minutes, and also fired over after the break. Full marks for effort, but the quality was lacking.

Owen -5.0: Aside from his 'goal' on 72 minutes, which replays appeared to suggest crossed the line, Owen was a ghost for almost the entire game. Miles off an England recall.

Subs

Duff 5.5: Newcastle dropped a level when Duff replaced Lovenkrands. The Irishman did not look fully fit.

Guthrie -5.5: Could not make much of an impact.

Carroll -N/V: No time to shine.

CHELSEA

Cech -6.5: Not required to make a save of note all afternoon. Safe on crosses, Cech's goal-kick was the first act in Malouda's goal.

Ivanovic -6.5: After a couple of shaky early moments against Lovenkrands, Ivanovic settled and had a steady game filling in for the injured Bosignwa.

Terry -8.0: A rock at the back for Chelsea. Gobbled up Owen, and unsurprisingly won everything in the air. Head-and-shoulders the best defender on the pitch.

Alex -7.0: Lucky to get away with a bad mistake on 19 minutes, when Martins let him off the hook. Recovered after this to form a fearsome centre back partnership with Terry.

A.Cole -6.0: Erratic. Had some problems against the skilful Jonas, but did controversially clear off the line from Owen. Reluctant to push forward, perhaps under orders from Hiddink.

Essien -6.5: Still clearly not at peak form and fitness following his long injury layoff. Did provide a clever pass for Malouda's early second half chance.

Mikel -6.5: A few loose passes and careless tackles, but generally Mikel anchored the midfield well. Typically powerful and forceful.

Lampard -8.5: After an ordinary first half, Lampard was simply sensational after the interval. Scored the first, created the second, and had numerous efforts on goal.

Kalou -6.0: Forced Harper into the first save of the game with a header on 18 minutes but, aside from this, Kalou was the least prominent of Chelsea's forward players. Missed a one-on-one in injury time.

Anelka -7.5: Led the line well, and could have had a hat-trick had he been more clinical. Missed two excellent chances, but was involved in both of Chelsea goals, hitting the bar before the first, and flicking on Cech's goal kick prior to the second.

Malouda -8.0: The French international's Chelsea career has been disastrous so far, but today's performance ripped up the form book. Lively and creative throughout, Malouda was involved in Lampard's opener, and he scored Chelsea's second. Also provided the pass of the match for Anelka.

Subs

Ballack 6.5: Replaced the tiring Essien and held his own. Put Kalou clean through towards the end.

Di Santo -6.5: A bright spark after coming on, Di Santo twice went close to adding a third.