The Newcastle striker turned Marcel Desailly on the edge of the Chelsea area before blasting a volley into the bottom corner.

The goal was crucial as it levelled matters at 1-1, and gave the Magpies the springboard to go on and win the game.

It was the 8th goal of the campaign for the 22-year-old Nigerian-born player, who broke into the U-21s a couple of years ago.

Since then he has gone from strength to strength and has developed into one of Alan Shearer's regular strike partners at Newcastle.

Ameobi moved to Tyneside 14 years ago and has committed himself to the Three Lions despite being eligible for Nigeria.

David Platt. who coached Ameobi at Under-21 level, is a firm believer in his natural abilities. "If Shola recognises what he's got," he told us, "all hell could break loose."

Elsewhere, Peter Crouch's last-gasp goal on Saturday could prove to be the most important of Aston Villa's season.

The England U-21's winner at Middlesbrough was the hallmark of a good striker - he was in the right place at the right time - and Crouch will hope to continue that sort of form if Villa make the Champions League.

And Nottingham Forest's Michael Dawson had another impressive game away at Ipswich.

The central defender has been a vital cog in Forest's recent run which has seen them move away from the relegation zone.