Newcastle vs Chelsea – as it happened: Blues make it three out of three
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.
First up today Watford host Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road, with the Hornets looking to extend their winning start to the season after overcoming Brighton and Burnley in the first two weeks.
As for Palace they'll be looking to put Monday nights defeat to Liverpool behind them and focus on a game where three points are definitely up for grabs.
A win today would see Watford equal their best ever start to a Premier League season with three wins from three,
Head coach Javi Gracia spoke to the media aboutit: "It is always important to start well, but we have played only two games and they are only two important wins.
"We need to keep calm and know bad results will arrive in the future. We are going to play against a Palace side with two good strikers who play on the counter attack.
"You have to adapt to different things like we did in the other games we played."
Watford start the action hitting the ball long before winning it back in their own half, the ball finds it's way out to Pereyra on the left and he crosses the ball into the box but it's slightly off target going behind the oncoming strikers and out for a goal kick
Palace see more of the ball, Zaha gaining possession in mid-field to a chorus of boos from the Watford fans before Capoue brings him down for a free kick.
Palace take a quick free kick and work the ball forward on the left hand side, Benteke gets the ball and switches it out to Ward on the right, he gives it to Townsend who dinks it back into the box and Benteke dives forward and heads the ball just past the post
A yellow card for Zaha after he follows through on a challenge against Holebas, the game is developing into a physical contest as van Aanholt is brought down
Great save! Kabasele stops a promising Palace attack by dispossessing Zaha but makes a mistake by giving the ball to Townsend, Palace work the ball nicely on the edge of the box before moving wide on the right. Townsend whips the ball into the area and Benteke finds it with a header straight at Foster who parries it wide
Foster again makes a stunning save! McArthur this time finds his way through Watford's defence before receiving the ball in the middle of the box, he tries to guide it past Foster to the keeper's right but Foster puts out a strong hand to deny Palace the lead.
Chance! Watford in the ascendancy now the ball comes in from the right and Pereyra meets it on the volley but McArthur gets enough boot on it to put it out for a corner.
The corner is cleared but Watford come again, this time the ball is passed through the middle, Deeney leaves the ball and Pereyra hits it first time but Hennessey makes an easy save
The rain is pumping down as the game remains goalless, Palace seeing more of the ball but both sides are creating chances, Ward runs down the right on the overlap but Holebas holds him off and the ball goes out for a goal kick
Pereyra looks to break away into Palace's half but he's brought down by McArthur, Holebas takes the resulting free kick but his ball into the box sails over the heads of everyone and goes out for a goal kick.
Palace break through again, McArthur combines with Benteke to run past the centre halfs but Holebas covers from the right with a sliding tackle before McArthur gets his shot away
Yellow card for Janmaat, referee Anthony Taylor told him to calm down before he held on to Zaha, Doucoure now with the foul, challenging Schlupp for the ball in the air but arriving too late. Watford just seem to be losing a little composure as we approach half time
Lots of players hitting the deck today and it's not due to the rain, Milivojevic is brought down this time by Deeney as the Watford striker tried to win the ball. The free kick is played quickly and Watford win the ball back, Holebas comes bounding down the right wing and he wins a corner
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.
(Getty Images)
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
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