Chelsea brushed aside a pathetic Newcastle United outfit as three goals inside the first 20 minutes gave the Blues the win.

Aided by some abysmal Magpies defending, Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian all found the net early on to give the home side a comfortable lead at the break.

Pedro had his second midway through the second half after more atrocious defending before Bertrand Traore scored his first Premier League goal to round off a convincing win.

Here are five talking points that emerged from a cold and wet evening at Stamford Bridge.

Shades of 2012?

Chelsea were under the pump four years ago and battling to remain in the Champions League under Andre Villas-Boas.

Roman Abramovich made the decision in March, with Roberto Di Matteo replacing him and what happened next is etched into the memory banks of Chelsea fans.

The Blues are starting to show their best football and will certainly be dark horses when it comes to winning the Champions League.

But, anything is possible, and if the Blues can retain the ruthless streak they showed against Newcastle going forward and cut out the defensive lapse in concentration then they are a match for anyone in Europe.

Chelsea facing defensive crisis

John Terry walks down the tunnel

Another week and another defender is on the treatment table. This time it's John Terry after he was withdrawn before half-time with a hamstring complaint.

While the Blues skipper may overcome it to face Paris-Saint Germain on Tuesday it is going to give manager Guus Hiddink a headache.

With Kurt Zouma sidelined for the rest of the season it would leave Chelsea with Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic as the only recognised centre backs.

Blues fans will be hoping that it is not serious.

Has Guus Hiddink tidied up Jose Mourinho's mess?

Interim manager Guus Hiddink of Chelsea talks to the media

Diego Costa has scored eight goals in 10 games, after only scoring four in the opening months of the season.

Cesc Fabregas appears to be his old self again after a poor start to the campaign.

Indeed, Chelsea seems a much calmer place since the Special One left the club in December. There have been no spats of note with officials, other managers, players or even club doctors.

Blues fans will always keep Mourinho in their hearts but the noticeable improvement on and off the pitch since his departure appears to suggest the hierarchy made the right decision.

Hazard struggles again

Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Cheik Tiote of Newcastle United compete for the ball
Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Cheik Tiote of Newcastle United compete for the ball

Eden Hazard was, by and large, invisible for 90 minutes as he has been for the majority of the season.

How can the Belgian score in every competitive international fixture this season but only register one strike, against Championship side MK Dons, for the reigning Champions?

While other players have picked up since Mourinho's departure, Hazard has still failed to provide a real impact.

One player does not make a team and it appears that he has grown tired of his time in London.

If Chelsea are to start afresh next season, Hazard looks to be the most likely to make way.

Newcastle are awful

Embarrassment: Newcastle

Let's not get carried away with this result as Newcastle, in particular their defence, were absolutely pathetic.

Firstly, Rolando Aarons was at fault for the second goal after his pass to Georginio Wijnaldum was intercepted by Pedro who raced free to score.

Secondly, Fabricio Coloccini failed to put a challenge on Diego Costa allowing the Spaniard to tee up Willian for the third goal.

Thirdly, and this was the worst offence, only one man in a five man wall jumped for Willian's free kick just before half time.

Fourthly, Steven Taylor was beaten by a Cesc Fabregas ball over the top for Pedro's second.

Indeed, a few of the hardy fans who made the trip south, could probably have done a better job. Certainly, though, they'd have shown more heart and desire than the players in black and white.

PSG will, for this very reason, be a much sterner test.