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Chelsea found an equaliser in the second half after going 2-0 down in the first and it was enough to claim a point for Enzo Maresca’s side - Shutterstock/Peter Powell
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After detonating an explosion off the pitch at Chelsea at the start of the week, Enzo Maresca ended it with his team fighting back from an abysmal first half at Newcastle to earn a point.
When the Italian debriefs this draw with his owners and sporting directors – as he is known to do after each match – he will point to the two sides of his Chelsea team. They failed to lay a glove on their opponents in 45 minutes, then stunning goals from Reece James and João Pedro took a point back from Tyneside.
Chelsea were hailed as potential title contenders a few weeks ago when they drew at Arsenal but inconsistency is not one of the hallmarks of champions. Nor is having an internal conflict so out in the open.
Maresca has not gone into the specifics of why he does not feel supported, as he outlined last week after defeating Everton. But it is clear there is unhappiness at the moment. He hinted at frustrations over experience in his squad during pre-match interviews, with his young team initially caught in the headlights in the hostility of St James’ Park.
They were two goals down after Nick Woltemade’s first-half double, which will go some way to erasing the memory of his own-goal against Sunderland last weekend. He powerfully finished into the top corner early on after Anthony Gordon had a shot saved. His second goal came from glancing in Gordon’s cross.
James found the net with a long-range free-kick after the break and João Pedro levelled after heading a long pass around Malick Thiaw. Maresca pointed straight to his goalkeeper, Robert Sánchez, for his assist. The Chelsea head coach was also booked for complaining as he grew increasingly animated through the second half.
More to follow...
03:04pm
Enzo Maresca speaking to TNT Sports
02:57pm
Post-match thoughts of Eddie Howe
02:52pm
Joao Pedro talking to the BBC
On his equalising goal:
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Chelsea came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 - George Wood/Getty Images
02:51pm
Nick Woltemade speaking to TNT Sports
On giving away a two-goal lead:
On his double after scoring an own goal against Sunderland last week:
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Nick Woltemade’s double had put Newcastle 2-0 up - George Wood/Getty Images
02:49pm
Busy afternoon
There are four 3pm kick-offs today:
Bournemouth vs Burnley
Brighton vs Sunderland
Manchester City vs West Ham
Wolves vs Brentford
You can follow all the action from those games right here.
02:44pm
Comeback
02:42pm
Post-match thoughts of Reece James
02:39pm
Chelsea’s next five games
December 27: Chelsea vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
December 30: Chelsea vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
January 4: Manchester City vs Chelsea (Premier League)
January 7: Fulham vs Chelsea (Premier League)
January 10: Charlton vs Chelsea (FA Cup)
02:37pm
Newcastle’s next five matches
December 26: Manchester United vs Newcastle (Premier League)
December 30: Burnley vs Newcastle (Premier League)
January 4: Newcastle vs Crystal Palace (Premier League)
January 7: Newcastle vs Leeds (Premier League)
January 10: Newcastle vs Bournemouth (FA Cup)
02:34pm
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Today:
Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2 FT
Bournemouth vs Burnley (3pm)
Brighton vs Sunderland (3pm)
Manchester City vs West Ham (3pm)
Wolves vs Brentford (3pm)
Tottenham vs Liverpool (5.30pm)
Everton vs Arsenal (8pm)
Leeds vs Crystal Palace (8pm)
Sunday:
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (4.30pm)
Monday:
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest (8pm)
02:33pm
FT stats
Possession: Newcastle 47%-53% Chelsea
Shots: 11-13
Shots on target: 5-4
Corners: 6-4
Touches in opposition box: 22-22
02:32pm
Some contentious moments
Should this have resulted in a red card for Alejandro Garnacho in the first half?
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Alejandro Garnacho goes in for a nasty challenge on Jacob Ramsey - George Wood/Getty Images
And should Newcastle have been given a penalty for this?
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Penalty or no penalty?
02:28pm
Full time
There is the final whistle, which brings a crazy game to an end. It finishes 2-2 and the home fans boo the officials on the whistle. Newcastle were 2-0 up at the end of a dominant first half courtesy of Woltemade’s double but back came Chelsea through James’ free-kick and Pedro’s goal to earn Enzo Maresca’s side a point. But there is a strong argument to say Chelsea got some big calls go their way that really should have gone the other way.
02:27pm
90+5 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Newcastle think that James brought down Barnes with the ball played in behind the Chelsea defence. James did tug at Barnes’ arm and he is the last man. It should be a red card but it was outside the penalty area so it will not be a penalty.
It has been checked but VAR somehow clears the incident. Not sure how they got to that conclusion.
02:25pm
90+4 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
We are into the final added minute.
02:24pm
90+3 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
There is plenty of tension inside St James’ Park right now as both sides seek a winner.
02:23pm
90+1 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Is there one more twist left?
02:21pm
90 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
There will be five added minutes.
02:20pm
88 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Ramsdale catches a corner and throws it miles forward to get Newcastle on the counter. Elanga is in with his pace but Cucurella is tracking him back. Elanga cuts inside on the edge of the box and tries to find the bottom corner but it goes wide. He really should have passed it to Barnes to his right.
02:17pm
86 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Another booking, this time for Hall for pulling Neto back. This has been a thrilling game and you cannot help but think there is one more twist left.
02:16pm
85 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
St James’ Park think Barnes had restored Newcastle’s lead but he misses. It would have been a glorious goal had it gone in. Newcastle work it brilliantly down the right and Guimaraes’ cross is sublime to the back post. Barnes takes it first time and should score but it goes agonisingly wide.
02:14pm
83 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
The bookings are being shown left, right and centre as Pedro is now shown a yellow card.
02:13pm
82 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Santos is booked for a challenge off the ball.
02:12pm
81 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
That would have been a fantastic finish had that gone in. Newcastle’s midfield is so open and there is acres of space for Caicedo to drive forward through the Newcastle half. The space parts like the Red Sea and he shoots from range, with his effort going just off target.
02:10pm
79 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Change for Chelsea as Santos replaces Palmer, who is only recently back from injury. Perhaps also it is a move to sure up the centre of Chelsea’s midfield.
02:09pm
78 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Newcastle should equalise but that is terrific last-ditch defending from James. Wissa slides a sublime through ball into Barnes’ path inside the penalty area and Barnes looks destined to score but James slides in at the last moment to win it off Barnes. Arguably a goal-saving tackle.
Incredible defending from Reece James denies Newcastle a goalscoring opportunity@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/8KPgAynSZD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 20, 2025
02:08pm
77 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Wissa is not long on the pitch but is booked for cynically bringing down Garnacho.
02:07pm
76 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Chelsea have undoubtedly been much better since half-time but Newcastle will point to two decisions that they believe have gone against them; the Garnacho challenge in the first half that could have been a red card whilst they will also feel that Gordon should have been awarded a penalty in this second half.
02:05pm
74 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Barnes has gone down inside the Chelsea box under a challenge from James but Barnes has just thrown himself to the ground. That is never a penalty and arguably was a dive. It is very tense inside St James’ Park.
02:04pm
72 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Eddie Howe decides it is time for a triple change as Elanga, Barnes and Wissa are coming on for Gordon, Woltemade and Murphy. I have to say it is slightly strange to take off the whole of the front three at once considering the way they played but perhaps Howe thinks he needs to in order to wrestle back some momentum.
02:02pm
70 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Hall drives towards the Chelsea box and ends up going down inside the Chelsea penalty area but the foul on him by Caicedo was clearly outside the box. Caicedo is booked for that foul.
Schar blazes his free-kick into the Gallowgate.
02:00pm
68 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 2
Garnacho is not a million miles away from giving Chelsea the lead as his shot from a narrow angle on the left side of the box goes just over Ramsdale’s bar. Newcastle could have been four or five up at half-time but are now under pressure just to remain level in this game.
01:57pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Pedro equalises for Chelsea
From 2-0 down, the men from west London have brought it back to 2-2. Sanchez plays a long ball downfield from inside his own box to pick out Pedro inside the Newcastle half. Pedro controls it with a header and is then able to spin away from Thiaw, who slips. That gives Pedro a one-on-one chance with Ramsdale and the Brazilian takes it with aplomb, sliding it past the Newcastle keeper. No-one would have seen that coming 20 minutes ago.
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Enzo Maresca celebrated wildly when that equaliser went in. Pure, unrestrained joy. And he pointed straight at Robert Sanchez, whose long pass had assisted Joao Pedro. It still took an incredible piece of skill from the Brazil striker to head the ball around Malick Thiaw and run onwards to goal and finish.
01:54pm
63 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
That was a crucial piece of defending from Thiaw, who intercepts a dangerous cross from Garnacho and puts it behind for a Chelsea corner. Miley is on hand to clear near his own line as Ramsdale was in no-man’s land.
01:52pm
61 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Schar is into the book for a foul on Pedro. It is a cynical trip from Schar and he probably cannot have too many complaints about that booking.
01:51pm
60 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Trying to predict how this game will finish up is impossible; this could genuinely be anything. For neutrals, this is enthralling. For fans of these two clubs, their heart rates will be going through the roof.
01:49pm
58 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Enzo Maresca has been shown a yellow card for his protestations at a foul given against Caicedo.
01:49pm
57 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
This is end-to-end and there are definitely more goals left in this one. Garnacho lays it back to Neto, who hits it first time and forces Ramsdale into a good save. Right now the next goal feels like it could be an equaliser for Chelsea.
01:47pm
55 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Neto lays the ball from the right side of the penalty area back to James near the edge of the box. James hits it first time and his shot, which looked to be on atrget, is blocked well by Schar.
01:46pm
54 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Fernandez is now going to come on, replacing Gusto, which will see James shift from midfield to right-back.
01:45pmKey moments • Video
53 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
Newcastle want a penalty as Chalobah goes in hard on a shoulder charge on Gordon. Those appeals are waved away but VAR is going to take a look. It was an aggressive challenge from Chalobah but the on-field decision of no penalty stands. Ally McCoist on TNT cannot believe it, saying it was a “stonewall penalty”. I have feeling that is going to create some debate.
01:42pm
51 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
So this is interesting. Fernandez was getting ready to come on around that free-kick but since Chelsea scored it, he is not going to come on right away.
01:40pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! James’ stunner gets one back for Chelsea
This game is back on and that is a fantastic free-kick from James. It is always curling away from Ramsdale, who tried to get across but his dive is not enough as it kisses off the inside of the post. Exactly what Chelsea needed and despite Newcastle’s complete dominance in this game, there is now just one goal in it.
01:39pm
48 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
Ramsey brings down Palmer not far outside the Newcastle penalty area and this could be an opportunity for Chelsea to get a goal back. It appeared that Palmer was asking for the referee to book Ramsey but he does not get his wish.
Will it be James or Palmer to take?
01:38pm
47 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
It will be interesting to see how long Enzo Maresca gives it before making a change.
01:36pm
Second half
We are back under way at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has been speaking to TNT Sports at half-time and highlighted Newcastle’s athleticism, especially with a short turnaround from their midweek game. We have not actually had many times this season where the managers have stopped by at half-time to speak to the broadcasters but Howe spared a few moments there.
01:32pm
Woltemade at the double
01:28pm
HT stats
Possession: Newcastle 50%-50% Chelsea
Shots: 7-4
Shots on target: 5-0
Corners: 4-0
Touches in opposition box: 11-8
01:21pm
Half-time
A completely and utterly dominant first half from Newcastle is brought to an end and they lead 2-0 at the break thanks to Woltemade’s double. The only glimmer of hope for Chelsea is that they are not further behind as Newcastle could be four or five ahead.
01:18pm
45+2 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
Another chance for Newcastle as a cross is sent in from the right, which picks out Miley in the centre of the penalty area but his header goes over.
01:18pm
45+1 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
Guimaraes wins the ball high up the pitch for Newcastle and finds Woltemade in the box. The German’s first touch is loose, which allows Caicedo to nip in. Had Woltemade’s first touch been better, it would have been a great chance.
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That was a nice moment. Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães celebrated after winning the ball off Cole Palmer in central midfield. This was not a big tackle - he just pinched the ball. But Newcastle players have been up for this and been better than Chelsea man-for-man. No shots on target for Chelsea is poor and there has been no coherence to their attacking.
01:17pm
45 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
Newcastle should have a third and Woltemade should have his hat-trick. Chelsea are furious that play goes on with Palmer down but Newcastle continue. Gordon cuts onto his right out of the left side and clips in a delightful cross to the back post, where Woltemade should score but misses the target.
Chelsea should have had a free-kick in hindsight as Schar did foul Palmer. Gusto is booked for dissent.
Four added minutes at the end of this first half.
01:15pm
43 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
The ball is in the Newcastle net but the whistle has gone. Out on the left, Garnacho cuts inside onto his right and sends a great cross to the back post. Neto gets the better of Gordon and gets his head on the cross but it then comes off his arm before rolling into the net. The whistle did not immediately get blown but eventually does and the telling sign was the fact that Neto did not celebrate, knowing it had hit his arm last.
01:11pm
39 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
Chelsea have been completely outplayed in this first half but if they get the next goal, it is game back on. Chelsea will be hoping to get one back before the break. Garnacho strikes a shot well from the edge of the box before there are appeals for a handball against Gordon. Chelsea want a penalty but it was outside the box anyway. It would have been a harsh call to give handball anyway as it flicked off Gordon’s leg first.
01:06pm
34 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
There are appeals for handball inside the Chelsea box as Woltemade’s back heel hits Fofana’s arm but those appeals are waved away. There was a VAR check but it is cleared as although it did hit Fofana’s arm, he was very close to Woltemade and it was not intentional.
01:02pm
30 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
In this opening half an hour, Newcastle did not look like the side down in 12th going into the day whilst Chelsea do no look like a side in fourth.
01:00pm
28 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
What a goal that would have been! A free-kick is sent into the Chelsea box on the right side and Schar watches it come across his body before striking it on the volley. He strikes it well but it is straight at Sanchez.
12:59pm
27 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
That is nasty from Garnacho and I think he could be seeing this reviewed by VAR. His challenge on Ramsey is a bad one with the studs up on the leg and is very lucky that it remains as a yellow. Why is VAR not intervening there? That was a challenge that smacked off frustration from Garnacho at Chelsea’s position in this game and Chelsea could have been down to 10 men there as well as being 2-0 down.
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Should this have been a red? - George Wood/Getty Images
12:58pm
26 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
It is all Newcastle and they look like getting a third. Chelsea are not in this game whatsoever. Newcastle now have a free-kick out on the left not far outside the Chelsea box after Gusto fouled Gordon, who has made a fine start to this match.
But that is an absolute mess as Tonali goes short but his pass is intercepted.
12:55pm
24 mins: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0
You cannot say Newcastle do not deserve their 2-0 lead and Chelsea are shell-shocked, summed up by Enzo Maresca’s confused expression after Woltemade’s second was given.
12:51pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Woltemade at the double
The German has two in the first 20 minutes and that is a fantastic goal but will it stand? This is going to be very close to offside. Gordon, out on the left, cuts onto his right and swings in a sublime delivery, which Woltemade guides on 10 yards out into the far corner.
But is Woltemade offside? It is very, very close. This is as close as you are going to get. Woltemade is leaning forward but could Caicedo’s leg be playing him onside? The back of Caicedo’s leg appears to be just about be playing Woltemade onside but who knows with VAR. Unsurprisingly, this is taking a while. There is a green light as Woltemade is onside and the goal stands. 2-0 Newcastle. The reason it took so long to come to a decision was because the semi-automated technology was down at that moment. You could not write it!
12:50pm
18 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
The Newcastle players and fans are really up for this one and it looks like the Chelsea players are a touch shell-shocked in the early stages of this game. Gordon and Murphy have probably been the pick of the bunch for the hosts so far, in and out of possession.
12:47pm
15 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
Hall wins a corner off Gusto out on the left after a good dribble and it is all Newcastle right now. Tonali’s inswinger towards the back post is caught by Sanchez, who tries to throw the ball out quickly whilst clearly being fouled by Schar. The ball does not go very far and falls to Hall, who puts the ball into the net, but the whistle goes. The Newcastle fans are not happy but that was a clear foul by Schar.
12:43pm
12 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
Newcastle are swarming all over Chelsea at the moment and Enzo Maresca’s side need to settle quickly or else this game will get away from them.
12:40pm
9 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
Tonali is not far off scoring directly from a corner out on the left, which had Sanchez scrambling, but it goes just over the bar. The home crowd are really up for this.
12:39pmKey moments
8 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
A huge chance for Newcastle to make it 2-0 and the Chelsea players are furious. Gusto is down for a while but play goes on. Murphy picks out Gordon in the centre of the box and, with Gusto down, he is not there to cover Gordon. The Newcastle wide man takes a touch before blasting his shot towards goal, forcing Sanchez into a decent save. Sanchez then sprints towards the referee to protest and is booked for dissent. Gusto is soon back to his feet so the injury was not that serious.
What a thrilling start to the game this has been!
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Good save from Robert Sanchez - Stu Forster/Getty Images
12:37pm
6 mins: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0
Neto’s cross from the right side of the box is just too far in front of Palmer inside the box but it comes across to Garnacho, who cuts onto his right and tries to pick out the top corner but blazes it into the Gallowgate.
12:35pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Woltemade gives Newcastle very early lead
The perfect start for the hosts and the German striker makes some amends for his own goal in the Wear-Tyne derby last weekend. Murphy delivers a stunning cross from the right to the back post, which picks out Gordon, whose shot is somehow saved brilliantly by the legs of Sanchez. The ball comes straight to the feet though of Woltemade inside the six-yard box and he makes no mistake.
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When that goal went in, Enzo Maresca turned to his bench with his eyes shut wearing a look of exasperation. What a dreadful start. He had been encouraging his defenders to push forward in the opening minutes but Wesley Fofana’s dribble into midfield was too risky and Anthony Gordon pounced. Nick Woltemade had his name sung around St James’ Park a week after his spectacular own goal in the Tyne-Wear derby.
12:34pm
2 mins: Newcastle 0 Chelsea 0
Garnacho runs at Miley down Chelsea’s left and cuts it back to Palmer on the edge of the box. It initially looks like Palmer is crossing towards the far post but it may well have been a cheeky lob shot that goes just over the bar. Cheeky from Palmer and it nearly came off.
It will be interesting to see how much Chelsea get Garnacho running at Miley, who is out of position at right-back. Garnacho had a big impact off the bench in midweek for Chelsea against Cardiff.
12:31pm
Kick-off
We are under way at St James’ Park. Who will be heading into Christmas with a spring in their step?
12:27pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel at St James’ Park and we are just moments away from kick-off on a foggy day on Tyneside. Here is a reminder of teams:
Newcastle: Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Substitutes:Ruddy, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, A.Murphy, Willock, Shahar, Neave.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro.
Substitutes:Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Buonanotte, Fernandez, Guiu.
12:24pm
Woltemade starts up top for hosts
The German will be hoping to make up for his own goal in the Wear-Tyne derby last weekend. Yoane Wissa scored for Newcastle in midweek so the pressure is on Woltemade to perform today.
12:20pm
Working under “unique conditions”
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As Jamie Carragher stated in his Telegraph Sport column this week, both of these managers work for owners in under unique conditions. Enzo Maresca has been cryptic over his frustrations at Chelsea, but what is clear is that he is not happy with the support he has received. Under the Saudi owners at Newcastle, Eddie Howe has led them into the Champions League but has also set a high bar for success. They are 12th in the table heading into the weekend.
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Enzo Maresca has made some interesting comments in the last few weeks - George Wood/Getty Images
12:15pm
Chelsea plan midfield summer signing to ease Caicedo and Fernandez load
12:11pm
TNT crew on Enzo Maresca and Chelsea
12:08pm
Focus on the hosts
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Eddie Howe has been hit with injuries to two important defenders in Dan Burn and Tino Livramento. The England pair being sidelined means there are changes from the team defeated, with Lewis Miley stepping in at right-back and Lewis Hall at left-back. Nick Woltemade is back in the team after his own goal against Sunderland last weekend, after coming off the bench in midweek in the EFL Cup.
12:05pm
Last five meetings
May 2025: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 (Premier League)
October 2024: Newcastle 2 Chelsea 0 (League Cup)
October 2024: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1 (Premier League)
March 2024: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 2 (Premier League)
December 2023: Chelsea 1 Newcastle 1 (League Cup, Chelsea won on penalties)
12:00pm
Pre-match thoughts of Eddie Howe
11:53am
Jamie Carragher: Enzo Maresca will not be Chelsea manager next season
11:48am
Chelsea’s last five results
Cardiff 1 Chelsea 3 (League Cup)
Chelsea 2 Everton 0 (Premier League)
Atalanta 2 Chelsea 1 (Champions League)
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0 (Premier League)
Leeds 3 Chelsea 1 (Premier League)
11:43am
Newcastle’s last five results
Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 (League Cup)
Sunderland 1 Newcastle 0 (Premier League)
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 (Champions League)
Newcastle 2 Burnley 1 (Premier League)
Newcastle 2 Tottenham 2 (Premier League)
11:38am
Visitors arriving
11:35am
Team news in full
Newcastle United make four changes from their win over Fulham in the League Cup in midweek. Nick Woltemade, Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon all come in. Lewis Miley, who started in midweek, is set to start at right-back.
Newcastle: Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Substitutes:Ruddy, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, A.Murphy, Willock, Shahar, Neave.
Enzo Maresca made plenty of changes to his side for their win at Cardiff in the League Cup on Tuesday and makes ten changes today. Cole Palmer is among those to come back in having been rested in the week.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro.
Substitutes:Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Buonanotte, Fernandez, Guiu.
11:31am
Pause for thought
Here is an image of Enzo Maresca on the Chelsea team bus after arriving at St James’ Park, looking rather serious and pensive. I wonder what is going through his mind after some of his comments recently.
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Chelsea in the house - Owen Humphreys/PA
11:26am
Hosts arriving
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️ 11:22am
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11:16amKey moments
Chelsea team
11:15amKey moments
Newcastle team
11:13am
Team news incoming
The starting XIs are about to drop. What will the Newcastle defence look like with their injuries? Will Cole Palmer start for Chelsea?
11:09am
Eddie Howe on potential January arrivals
11:05am
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Today:
Newcastle vs Chelsea (12.30pm)
Bournemouth vs Burnley (3pm)
Brighton vs Sunderland (3pm)
Manchester City vs West Ham (3pm)
Wolves vs Brentford (3pm)
Tottenham vs Liverpool (5.30pm)
Everton vs Arsenal (8pm)
Leeds vs Crystal Palace (8pm)
Sunday:
Aston Villa vs Manchester United (4.30pm)
Monday:
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest (8pm)
11:00am
Hall to feature?
The left-back was not certain to play against his former club this afternoon but he has arrived with the rest of the Newcastle squad so we can probably assume he is going to play today. Considering Newcastle’s injury issues at full-back, Hall’s availability is very important to Eddie Howe.
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Lewis Hall arriving - Stu Forster/Getty Images
10:55amKey moments
4th vs 12th
The Premier League weekend begins up in the north east as Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park. This fixture last season was won 2-0 by Eddie Howe’s side, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes leading Newcastle to victory as Nicolas Jackson was sent off for the visitors.
Newcastle were in League Cup action in midweek, beating Fulham 2-1 to book their place in the semi-finals as they look to defend their League Cup crown. That came after a 1-0 loss at Sunderland last weekend in the Wear-Tyne derby, leaving them 12th in the Premier League. Speaking ahead of the game, Howe was full of praise for his opposite number Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea side.
“You can see Enzo’s philosophy,” Howe said. “I thought he did a magnificent job at Leicester, he has taken that to Chelsea and they are a team I always enjoy watching. They are very composed, very pattern-related and structured, they do a lot of work in their shape and you can see that. They are a possession-focused team and they will pose us some problems if our defensive work is not of the highest level. In the main, we have defended pretty well so it will be a good test of that and we have got to find a way to hurt them going the other way. We had some good battles with them last season, some really good games and enjoyed those tussles. We were competitive and will need to be again.”
Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are all set to miss out but Lewis Hall could be fit to face his former club. Nick Pope could return in between the sticks for the hosts.
“The disappointing thing is we do not have a huge number of injuries but they are focused in one area,” Howe added. “That has stretched us in the last few weeks. The fixture congestion this year has been like no other, and the cup run is a great thing but it adds to it. We have not even had a week where we could just regroup. But getting used to that as a club is what we have to do in the long term. It is about adapting, finding ways to grow with that challenge and still be successful, while managing injuries and fatigue. It is all part of the process. It is not ideal right now, but hopefully most of those players are not long term and we also have the transfer window if we need it.”
Chelsea booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win at Cardiff. They beat Everton 2-0 at home last time out in the league, which leaves them fourth in the Premier League going into this weekend’s fixtures. The build-up this match from a Chelsea perspective has been dominated by stories of Maresca being linked with the Manchester City job if Pep Guardiola departs but Maresca has described that as purely “speculation”.
“It does not affect me because I know it is 100 percent speculation and I do not have time for these things. I have a contract here until 2029. My focus is just on this club and I am proud to be here. One week ago in Italy, it was the same with Juventus. I do not pay attention to it. It is important to understand why this news was there but it is just speculation. The Newcastle game is important and very difficult.”
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Will Enzo Maresca still be Chelsea boss next season? - Michael Steele/Getty Images
Maresca was then asked whether he will still be at Chelsea next season?
“Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029. It is speculation, 100%. I do not have nothing to add. I do not pay attention.”
Liam Delap, Romeo Lavia, Estevao and Levi Colwill remain out for the visitors but they will welcome back Cole Palmer, who was rested in midweek after recently returning from injury. Team news to follow shortly.
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