Newcastle defended stoutly to hold off Chelsea and claim a valuable point at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated the game but could not find a way to break the deadlock, although they remain top on goal difference as Liverpool could only draw 0-0 at home to Fulham.
The Blues had the ball in the net in the 54th minute after Shay Given could only parry a powerful Florent Malouda shot from the left and Joe Cole scrambled the ball in but officials correctly gave the midfielder offside.
Soon afterwards Given had to back-track to catch a Frank Lampard free-kick and the ball could have gone over the line but replays were inconclusive.
Substitute Michael Ballack could then have won the game late on but put his close-range effort wide of the post.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side should have taken the lead in the seventh minute but Given made a tremendous save to prevent Lampard scoring.
Malouda had picked out the England midfielder with a delightful chip into the penalty area but Given guessed correctly and dived to his right to keep Lampard's header out.
In the 10th minute referee Phil Dowd lectured Chelsea coach Scolari after the Brazilian moaned too long about a free-kick decision that went against his side.
While Chelsea dominated, Newcastle did break but Michael Owen found himself isolated and unable to get the better of the home defence.
Malouda created a fine opening in the 16th minute when he left Fabricio Coloccini flat-footed and burst into the penalty area - but Given dived low to his right to prevent the Frenchman's shot from hitting the net.
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