Steve McClaren's position again under scrutiny after shocking 5-1 defeat to Chelsea

Steve McClaren's side were soundly, and embarrassingly, beaten 5-1 at Stamford Bridge tonight.

United never recovered from an abject start which saw them concede two goals in the first nine minutes.

Andros Townsend netted late on for Newcastle, who dropped into the bottom three on goal difference after Chelsea's second goal.

Diego Costa gave Chelsea a fifth-minute lead after Willian skipped past Cheick Tiote and played him in, and Pedro took advantage of a poor square ball from Rolando Aarons four minutes later.

Pedro intercepted the pass, meant for Daryl Janmaat, and ran upfield and scored.

Willian capped an embarrassing 17 minutes for Newcastle with a third goal.

United, terrible away from home this season, lacked discipline, shape and leadership, and McClaren replaced the ineffective Georginio Wijnaldum with Jack Colback at the break.

Newcastle attempted to rally in the second half – Jonjo Shelvey had a shot blocked by Cesar Azpilicueta – but the game was long gone.

And Pedro scored a fourth goal for the home side in the 59th minute.

Steven Taylor misjudged Cesc Fabregas' long ball forward, and Pedro ran on to score.

McClaren sent on Doumbia, on loan from AS Roma, for his debut in the 70th minute, but he didn't see much of the ball.

Substitute Bertrand Traore added a fifth from a Azpilicueta cross with seven minutes left on the clock, and Townsend netted an 89th-minute strike at the other end.

CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (Baba, 38), Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian (Loftus-Cheek, 80), Hazard; Diego Costa (Traore, 60). Subs not used: Begovic, Mikel, Kenedy, Remy.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Sissoko, Shelvey, Tiote (Lascelles, 67), Townsend; Wijnaldum (Colback, 46); Mitrovic (Doumbia, 70). Subs not used: Darlow, Saivet, Perez, Riviere.

Goals: Costa 5, Pedro 9, 59, Willian 17, Traore 83

Bookings: Taylor 19, Shelvey 61

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 41,622