Chelsea's Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink followed his hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week with the goal from a Damien Duff pass in the 38th minute.
The win put pressure on Arsenal who lost their FA Cup semi-final to Manchester United earlier on Saturday and who meet Chelsea on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
It also extended Chelsea's unbeaten league run against Spurs to 28
Wolves dropped further into the mire at the bottom of the table after losing 4-1 at home to Southampton.
Newcastle leapfrogged Liverpool who play on Sunday, into fourth place after beating Everton 4-2 with the help of two goals from captain Alan Shearer.