Newcastle United host Chelsea in a pre-Christmas cracker at St James’ Park this afternoon.
The Magpies were left reeling after their derby defeat to Sunderland last Sunday but bounced back midweek with victory over Fulham within the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea were also victorious midweek with Enzo Maresca making 11 changes to the side that eventually beat League One leaders Cardiff City.
The Blues clawed their way back into fourth place with victory over Everton last weekend with Newcastle starting the weekend down in twelfth.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all of the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
Live Feed
Willock comes on for Newcastle
89: Late change for Newcastle as Willock replaces Ramsey.
Likelihood for Elanga!
89: Elanga almost wins it for Newcastle – but his shot is just wide of the far post. Five minutes to be added on…
Surely a winner is coming…
88: Sorry if I even have cursed it by saying this… But I’d be amazed if there’s not a winning goal here. Just can’t call which way it’s going to go!
Hall booked!
87: Hall is the ninth player to be shown a yellow card… Can either team discover a winner here?
Likelihood for Barnes!
85: A massive likelihood for Barnes to win it for Newcastle but he can’t hit the goal.
It’s still 2-2 here. What a game this has been!
Joao Pedro booked!
83: An insane amount of yellow cards on this match. Joao Pedro this time.
Andrey Santos booked!
82: Andrey Santos is booked for an off-the-ball foul on Elanga. Crazy game this.
Palmer heads to the bench
79: Chelsea are taking off Palmer – who’s replaced by Andrey Santos.
Wissa booked!
77: Wissa has been on the pitch for lower than five minutes but he’s booked for a foul on Garnacho.
Why Newcastle were denied controversial penalty
Newcastle make three changes
73: Barnes, Wissa and Elanga all come on for Newcastle. They replace Gordon, Woltemade and Murphy.
Caicedo booked!
70: One more yellow card for Chelsea. Caicedo is booked for a foul on Hall.
Joao Pedro levels it up for Chelsea!
66: WHAT A GAME!!! Chelsea have come back from 2-0 right down to level up this match!
Joao Pedro with the goal as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez provides the assist.
Maresca and Schar booked!
61: The yellow cards are flying now. Chelsea boss Maresca gets one for protesting to the referee before Newcastle star Schar is booked for a foul on Neto.
Likelihood for Neto!
58: An enormous save from Ramsdale denies Neto! Chelsea are pushing for the equaliser here.
Fernandez comes on for Chelsea
54: Chelsea make the primary change of the match as Fernandez comes on for Gusto, who was on a yellow card.
Newcastle denied a transparent penalty!
53: Oh my word – how on Earth have Newcastle not been given a penalty there?! Huge controversy here at St James’ Park.
Chalobah wipes out Gordon – it ought to be a stonewall spot-kick – but by some means the referee says no and VAR agrees it was shoulder-to-shoulder. One in every of the worst decisions I even have seen all season.
James pulls one back for Chelsea!
49: CHELSEA BADLY NEEDED THAT!
An attractive free-kick from Chelsea captain Reece James beats Aaron Ramsdale and Chelsea are back on this match!
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea. Game on!
Back underway!
45: The second half just began – Chelsea must make massive improvements here to get back on this game.
HALF TIME: Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
Half time here at St James’ Park. This has been men against boys.
Newcastle well on top of things with Chelsea not registering a single shot on course.
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