Carlisle's current run of three straight wins (scoring 10 goals in the process) has lifted Abbott's side into the top half of the League One table, as well as earning an FA Cup third round tie at Everton on 2 January.

BBC: Dennis Booth

"Everyone at the club is working hard to achieve our goals for this season and with an up and coming Northern Rail Cup quarter-final against York plus over half of the league campaign to come there is still a lot to play for, " added O'Connor.

BBC: Vikings keen to reward loyal fans

When the desired early goal didn't materialise, Chelsea's play became a bit more frantic, but once Branislav Ivanovic had broken the deadlock in the second half, they began to show glimpses of the verve which won them the League and FA Cup double last season and helped them make such an electric start to this campaign.

BBC: Does victory over Blackburn indicate a Chelsea revival?

The 27-year-old, who will play in this month's African Cup of Nations with Senegal, has scored 13 league goals so far this season -- exactly half of Newcastle's total.

CNN: Chelsea striker Sturridge joins Liverpool