Newcastle welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park looking to build on their 1-1 draw at Manchester United last week by securing three points that will keep them above the West London side in fourth place.
Despite being written off before the game following their defeat in the blue half of Manchester seven days prior Alan Pardew’s side displayed the kind of resilience and passion that has become synonymous with the black and white stripes over the years. The Magpies dominated the first forty five minutes at Old Trafford with a resolute back line quelling the threat of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez. The midfield duo of Yohan Cabaye and Danny Guthrie ran the show whilst Gabriel Obertan put in an accomplished display on his return from a toe injury at his old stomping ground. However it was the stunning performances of Steven Taylor and goalkeeper Tim Krul that shone through as the Geordies hung on for dear life after Jonas Gutierrez was sent off with 12 minutes to go. Everything United threw at Newcastle was repelled with Taylor putting numerous blocks and when the ball did find a way past the defender Krul was there to prevent it from finding the net. It’s a measure of just how far the club has come in the last year or so with Pardew deserving a huge amount of credit for retaining the togetherness in the dressing room and getting his team organised and working for each other. Chelsea will once again prove to be another massive test and they know that a win will give them a four point cushion over the Blues going into the festive period. A run of one win in six against Andre Villas-Boas’ side at St James’ Park puts the omens firmly in the visitors lap but this is a new Newcastle United and one that isn’t to be taken lightly.
That is something Chelsea certainly won’t do despite their poor run of form coming to an end with a 3-0 win against Wolves at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. Pressure was starting to seriously build on the shoulders of Villas-Boas going into the game after two late defeats in the space of a week and a win was the only thing that was going to bring some relief. Luckily his side blew away Wanderer’s in the first period scoring three goals and rolling back the years with a display of attacking intensity. The performance of Juan Mata was a particular highlight with the Spaniard laying on two goals and scoring the third and supporters will be expecting more of the same on the trip to Tyneside. Daniel Sturridge was another player to impress with the young striker bagging yet another goal and giving credence to his calls to be the clubs first choice centre forward. His link up play with Mata and Didier Drogba highlights an intelligent footballer whilst his effort and commitment bring an extra edge to the Chelsea attack. The 22-year-old has scored his seventh goal of the season last weekend which is more than Drogba, Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka combined. Defensively Villas-Boas will have been delighted to see his side keep only their third clean sheet of the season and they’ll need build on that going into the game against Newcastle who the hungry Demba Ba searching for his 10th goal of the season. Their record at St James’ Park should stand them in good stead though having won five and drawn the same amount in 17 Premier League meetings.
Newcastle – 4th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v Manchester United (A), Lost 3-1 v Manchester City (A), Won Everton 2-1 (H), Won 3-1 Stoke (A), Won 1-0 v Wigan (H
Potential Starting X11: 26. T. Krul 5. D. Simpson 2. F. Coloccini [C] 27. S. Taylor* 16. R. Taylor 8. D. Guthrie 4. Yohan Cabaye 24. C. Tiote 25. G. Obertan 10. H. Ben Arfa 19.D. Ba
Injury News: Leon Best and Sylvain Marveaux remain out and don’t look like returning to action in 2011. Cheick Tiote could finally make his return after missing the last four games with a knee injury.
Key Player: Tim Krul
What a season it has been for the Dutch goalkeeper so far with his stunning performance at Old Trafford last weekend earning him a legion of plaudits once again. Krul pulled off save after remarkable save to deny Manchester United a win with his point blank save from Nemanja Vidic’s header simply astounding. He’ll need to continue the form that has seen him keep four clean sheets this season when Chelsea come to town.
Match Fact: The Magpies have been formidable at St James’ Park so far during the campaign and have yet to taste defeat. They’ll need to maintain that if they are to beat Chelsea at home for the first time since the final day of the 2005/06 season with a Titus Bramble goal gave securing a 1-0 win, seventh position and a place in the Intertoto Cup.
Chelsea – 5th
Last Five: Won 3-0 v Wolves (H), Lost 2-1 v Liverpool (H), Won 1-0 v Blackburn (A), Lost 5-3 v Arsenal (H), Lost 1-0 v QPR (A)
Potential Starting X11: 1. P. Cech 2. B. Ivanovic 26. J. Terry [C] 4. D. Luiz 3. A. Cole 6. O. Romeu 7. Ramires 8. F. Lampard 10. J. Mata 11. D. Drogba 23. D. Sturridge*
Injury News: Villas-Boas has no new injury worries with Michael Essien the only player currently in the Stamford Bridge treatment room.
Key Player: Daniel Sturridge
For the second consecutive week the newly capped England striker proved his worth to the team with another industrious display. Sturridge was a constant menace on Saturday with his desire to run at the Wolves defence and create space for his teammates a joy to watch. Goals are also a big part of his game and he stabbed home a crucial second in West London to effectively kill the game off for Chelsea. He’ll need to keep that up on Saturday against an uncompromising Newcastle back line.
Match Fact: Chelsea enjoy their trips to the North East and have only been beaten once in their last six visits to St James Park. That run includes one win and four draws with their last defeat on Tyneside coming just over five years ago.
Last Time at St James’ Park
Premier League 28 November 2010
Newcastle 1-1 Chelsea
Carroll, 6
Kalou, 45
Attendance: 46,469
Referee: Andre Marriner
PREDICTION
Newcastle bounced back from their first loss of the season at Manchester City with a superb performance against rivals United at Old Trafford. Despite their goal being firmly in the realms of controversial the Magpies displayed the never say die attitude that has become the cornerstone of their season to date. They’ll face another stiff test against Chelsea at St James Park who will hoping their win against Wolves will prove to be a turning point in what has been a period of unsettling transition. Manager Villas-Boas has come in for some criticism after his sides insipid displays over the last few weeks with a trip to Tyneside proving to be a potential banana skin. It’s likely the Toon Army will be in full voice and with Newcastle yet to lose at St James’ Park so far it will prove to be a tight encounter.
Score 2-1
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