Newcastle vs Chelsea – as it happened: Blues make it three out of three
All the latest from St James' Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea come into their game in the North East as one of few unbeaten teams in the Premier League from the first two games.
New head coach Maurizio Sarri has lifted the mood at the club and has achieved instant results, scoring three goals each in their victories over Huddersfield and Arsenal. Alvaro Morata opened his account for the season in last weekend’s London derby, but the former Napoli manager will hope they are tighter at the back when they travel to St James’ after they initially threw away a two-goal advantage.
Rafa Benítez’s Newcastle side picked up their first point of the season last weekend against Cardiff, but the Spaniard will be disappointed not to be heading into the fixture against his former club on the back of a win after Kenedy missed an injury-time penalty. The Magpies have been assigned a tough start to the season at home, having already welcomed Spurs, who left victorious on the opening weekend, to St James’ Park this season.
We will have all the latest from St James' Park:
Preview
When time does it start?
Newcastle United vs Chelsea kicks off at 4PM (BST).
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main Event channels from 3:30PM Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the game online via the SkyGo app.
It’s a big game for…
DeAndre Yedlin: The 25-year-old was not risked by Benitez against Cardiff after suffering a knee injury against his former club Spurs. The Magpies are in somewhat of a right-back crisis currently after Javier Manquillo was forced off through injury against Cardiff and his replacement Isaac Hayden saw red later on. The USA international will face one of his sternest test this season when he comes up against Eden Hazard and Pedro, who were both impressive against Arsenal.
Stat…
4: Newcastle have won four of their last five league matches against Chelsea in St James’ Park. The run includes a 3-0 victory for the Magpies on the final day of last season.
Remember when…
Newcastle may have an excellent recent home record against Sunday’s opponents, but they have not beaten the FA Cup holders at Stamford Bridge since a double from Papiss Cisse secured a 2-0 victory for them in May 2012. Their miserable record in West London, which has seen them lose every game there since, includes a 5-1 hammering in February 2016 after the hosts scored three goals in the opening 17 minutes. However, the best goal of the game was undoubtedly Andros Townsend’s consolation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzzls8917s4
Player to watch…
Mateo Kovacic: Eden Hazard was credited as the player who turned the game back in Chelsea’s favour in last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal, but his Croatian teammate also had a huge role to play on his debut. The Real Madrid loanee made some crucial tackles and helped the hosts wrestle back control of the midfield before Alonso’s winner. A hostile environment will mean the former Inter Milan midfielder will have to be at his best to help out N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
Past three-meetings…
Newcastle United 3 (Gayle, Pérez x2) Chelsea 0, Premier League, May 2018
Chelsea 3 (Batshuayi x2, Alonso) Newcastle United 0, FA Cup, January 2018
Chelsea 3 (Hazard x2, Morata) Newcastle United 1 (Gayle), Premier League, December 2017
Form guide…
Newcastle United: LD
Chelsea: WW
Odds…
Newcastle to win: 21/5
Chelsea to win: 4/6
Draw: 14/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Prediction...
Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea
38 mins: GOAL! Fulham 3 - 1 Burnley - Mitrovic
That's two for Mitrovic! Luciano Vietto whips a cross into the box and Mitrovic heads the ball from the middle of the box to middle of the goal.
43 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea
Chelsea get a free kick from about 30 yards out, Hazard flicks it in and wins a corner. He crosses that in as well and it cleared to David Luiz who passes it back in the box to Rudiger and his header goes out for a goal kick
41 mins: GOAL! Fulham 3 - 2 Burnley - Tarkowski
They're scoring goals for fun at Craven Cottage, this time it's Burnley as Ben Mee whips a corner into the box and Tarkowski takes a left footed shot from very close range and sinks it into the bottom right corner.
HALF TIME: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea
The home side have defended well so far, limiting Chelsea to half chances at best.
HALF TIME: Fulham 3 - 2 Burnley
Five, yes five, goals at Craven Cottage in the first half, what a game so far!
SECOND HALF: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea
Chelsea restart the match and play takes a familiar look as Chelsea attack and Newcastle defend
SECOND HALF: Fulham 3 - 2 Burnley
The carnage continues at Craven Cottage as the second half gets underway
50 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea
Azpilicueta gets the ball in the Newcastle area as a space opens in the defence and his shot is tame but Dubravka has to make the save
55 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea
Newcastle make it to Chelsea's 18-yard box before they give away a foul, Chelsea forward again but Morata's first touch is heavy in the box and the ball is given away
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments