Newcastle United were held to a 2-2 draw by Chelsea after Nick Woltemade's first-half double was cancelled out by a Reece James free kick and Joao Pedro equaliser in an entertaining clash in the Premier League on Saturday.
Woltemade made amends for his own goal last week in a derby defeat by Sunderland, scoring the opener after less than four minutes when he pounced on a rebound before doubling the home side's lead from an Anthony Gordon cross in the 20th.
However, Chelsea skipper James halved the deficit four minutes into the second half with a curling free kick before the visitors equalised in the 66th from a long ball, with Joao Pedro escaping his marker to make it 2-2.
Newcastle substitute Harvey Barnes missed two opportunities to win it for the hosts but when the final whistle blew the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils. Chelsea remain fourth with 29 points while Newcastle are 11th with 23.
Newcastle vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Joao Pedro takes advantage of a slip to level yp
- GOAL! James curls home a stunning free kick
- GOAL! Woltemade at the double in dream start
- GOAL! Woltemade fires home after three minutes
Chelsea set for FA fine after battling comeback against Newcastle
14:57 , Alex YoungChelsea will be fined by the Football Association for their battling display against Newcastle.
The Blues fought back from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils at St James’ Park on Saturday.
But also picked up seven yellow cards, with six of the players being cautioned along with manager Enzo Maresca.
Football Association rules, any team that accumulates six or more cards in one match is subject to a £25,000 fine.
It is the second time Chelsea have picked six cards in a game. During a defeat to Manchester United earlier this season, five players were booked and Robert Sanchez was sent off.
You can read Dom Smith’s player ratings here.
Full-time!
14:30 , Alex Young97min: What a game! That was so entertaining!
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:28 , Alex Young96min: A “small tug” from James, so he escapes a red card. This game.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:28 , Alex Young95min: Oh my word, what is going on? Barnes again goes down under pressure from James, when running through, but he has - again - made a meal of it.
VAR are having a look...
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:21 , Alex Young90min: Five minutes added on.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:20 , Alex Young89min: Willock is on, replacing Ramsey.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:17 , Alex Young85min: Barnes almost does! A fantastic cross from the right from Bruno lands on Barnes’ left foot to volley home with Sanchez stranded... but his shot fizzes inches wide.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:16 , Alex Young83min: Schar fires over from the edge of the area.
You wouldn’t rule out a late winner for either.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:13 , Alex Young80min: Caicedo lets fly from distance, which fizzes narrowly past Ramsdale’s top left-hand corner.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
14:12 , Alex YoungReally impressive how Chelsea have turned this around. But they must be careful not to let Newcastle back into the ascendency late on here.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:11 , Alex Young79min: Palmer is off for Andrey Santos.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:09 , Alex Young77min: Elanga runs and runs and runs with the ball, Wissa screams and screams and screams for the pass... but it doesn’t arrive as Elanga is crowded out.
That is a player with no confidence.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:06 , Alex Young74min: Barnes throws himself to the floor looking to win a penalty, but it’s a clear dive.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:04 , Alex Young73min: Murphy, Gordon and Woltemade replaced by Barnes, Elanga and Wissa.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:03 , Alex Young72min: After a long delay, Schar takes one of the worst free kicks you’ve ever seen.
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
14:02 , Alex Young70min: Caicedo booked for a foul on Hall. Newcastle want a penalty but the referee pulls it back.
Newcastle players have lost their heads.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
14:00 , Alex YoungImmediately after that equaliser, Cole Palmer just told the bench he can play for another 10 minutes.
GOAL!
13:58 , Alex Young66min: It’s been coming!
Joao Pedro, who has done next to nothing all game, levels the scores after holding off Thiaw and running through to slot past Ramsdale.
Newcastle will be so disappointed with that.
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
13:54 , Alex Young61min: Palmer is in some pain after a robust tackle.
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
13:50 , Alex Young58min: It feels like a matter of time before Chelsea equalise. Newcastle now the team retreating and retreating.
Neto denied by a fantastic Ramsdale save.
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
13:48 , Alex Young56min: Chelsea need to use that lucky escape and make the most of it.
Fernandez is on, replacing Gusto, and James has gone to right-back.
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
13:47 , Alex Young53min: Is that a Newcastle penalty? Chalobah charges Gordon off the ball.
Surely that’s a penalty. Every day.
VAR says no! That is incredible.
Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
13:46 , Alex Young53min: Is that a Newcastle penalty? Chalobah charges Gordon off the ball.
Surely that’s a penalty. Every day.
VAR says no!
Dom Smith at St James' Park
13:44 , Alex YoungReece James is becoming one of English football’s great modern-day free-kick takers. Stellar goal at a crucial time in the game for Chelsea.
GOAL!
13:41 , Alex Young49min: That is a beauty from Reece James!
He drills home the free kick from over 30 yards. Question marks over Ramsdale? There usually are, but takes nothing away from the shot!
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:40 , Alex Young48min: Early free kick for Chelsea. James standing over it.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:37 , Alex Young47min: No changes from either team. Perhaps a surprise.
Second half
13:36 , Alex Young46min: Back underway!
You wonder if Maresca will be tempted into changes. He’s got a £105million midfielder sat on the bench.
Two for Woltemade, who has gone from villain to hero. He should have scored three, he could have scored four.
Chelsea second-best across the whole pitch.
Half-time!
13:21 , Alex Young50min: A stunning first-half display from Newcastle.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:19 , Alex Young47min: Newcastle corner is played out short to be whipped in, Miley leaps in front of Woltemade and heads over.
Woltemade had a free header!
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:18 , Alex Young45min: Four minutes added on.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:15 , Alex Young43min: Chelsea have the ball in the back of the net, but he’s head the ball onto his arm before it rolled over the line.
Correct decision.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:12 , Alex Young40min: Chelsea want a penalty for a Gordon handball, but 1) it's outside the box and 2) it's off his knee.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
13:11 , Alex YoungChelsea have been torrid here. They have no out-ball and just keep ceding possession when trying to progress up the pitch.
The cheers of the crowd after each Newcastle interception feel like they're occurring almost every 20 seconds. The visitors don't look like getting close to halving the deficit right now.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:09 , Alex Young37min: Palmer is fouled by Miley, who runs back and basically falls into him from behind.
Newcastle’s game plan is clear, and it’s working.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:07 , Alex Young32min: Chelsea not being given a moment to settle. This time Tonali and Guimaraes team up on Caicedo.
Chelsea cannot concede again before half-time.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
13:00 , Alex Young28min: Another set-piece, this time Hall floats it straight to Schar to volley from the edge of the area! Straight into Sanchez’s hands.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
12:57 , Alex Young26min: Chelsea are second-best to every ball. Newcastle are purring. Woltemade is on a hat-trick!
Dom Smith at St James' Park
12:57 , Alex YoungA long VAR check. And it stands, rightly so. Would have been far too tight to rule out.
Chelsea's afternoon has barely begun but feels already over.
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
12:55 , Alex Young23min: Goal stands!
21min: VAR are having a look...
GOAL!
12:53 , Alex Young20min: This is dream stuff for Newcastle and Woltemade!
Gordon collects the free kick out wide, switches onto his right and curls an inswinging ball into the area which Woltemade side-foots home!
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:51 , Alex Young19min: Gordon has been flying into challenges, and gets one back from Fofana.
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:47 , Alex Young15min: Hall as the ball in the back of the net, but Sanchez has been fouled by Schar and is on the deck. A clear foul.
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:45 , Alex Young14min: Chelsea trying to respond, a few more tough challenges flying in.
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:44 , Alex Young12min: Garnacho tries to take on Miley down the left, but his touch is too heavy as he drives into the area and the ball runs out of play.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
12:42 , Alex YoungChelsea have lost their heads here after Newcastle kept playing once Gusto had lost his boot.
Sanchez flies out from his goal after making a wonderful save. His remonstrations rightly see him booked, but didn't he have a point?
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:40 , Alex Young8min: Newcastle should be two to the good as Sanchez denies Gordon from inside the area!
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
12:38 , Alex Young6min: Almost an instant reply from Chelsea as Neto drives down the right, tries to find Palmer but the falls runs to Garnacho to bend a shot wide of the far post.
GOAL!
12:36 , Alex Young4min: Woltemade after just three minutes!
From villian to hero, as he slams the ball into the roof of the net after Sanchez saves Gordon’s close range effort.
Gordon started the move, dispossessing James before playing it wide.
Newcastle 0-0 Chelsea
12:34 , Alex Young3min: A first sight of goal from Palmer, who tries to chip Ramsdale from the corner of the area but the ball settles on the top of the goal.
Newcastle 0-0 Chelsea
12:33 , Alex Young2min: A fast start by Newcastle, a few smart passes and a neat flick by Gordon to beat Caicedo to the ball.
Kick-off!
12:31 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Here come the teams. Palmer gives Gordon a quick hello.
Kick-off is minutes away.
Yet more interesting quotes from Enzo Maresca, there. You cannot miss an interview/press conference of his at the moment.
Enzo Maresca speaks to TNT Sport
12:16 , Alex Young"When you have a 20, 21-year-old and a player who is 30, 31 years old, and he starts to say something [to them], it's invaluable. But it's the strategy of the club [of younger players].
"Overall, very happy. I just focus on what I can control - pitch side, knowing that there is always noise you need to manage.”
Not long until kick-off now. Teams going through their final prep.
Eddie Howe speaks to TNT Sport
12:00 , Alex Young"The big plan is to pay the fans back for everything they've given us, and for the horrible feeling that we gave them against Sunderland [a 1-0 derby defeat].
"We want to use today to help us, help them."
Match odds
11:56 , Alex YoungMuch like our prediction, the bookies are predicting a tight affair today.
- Newcastle: 6/4
- Draw: 21/10
- Chelsea: 13/10
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
Tis the season.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
11:41 , Alex YoungYou’ve had Dom in text, here he is in Panavision.
🗣️ "One of the more difficult away days of the season."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 20, 2025
A big selection call from Maresca, against what he described as a "perfect" midfield.
Here's @MrDomSmith with more.#NEWMCI pic.twitter.com/z1JzaWB3dK
Dom Smith at St James' Park
11:35 , Alex YoungHaving made 11 changes for Tuesday's Carabao Cup game at Cardiff, Maresca has made another ten today, with only Moises Caicedo keeping his place in the starting line-up.
It is potentially a little surprising to see Enzo Fernandez not starting, but you can see why Maresca would have preferred Reece James next to Caicedo. James has been a real physical presence in midfield in bigger games this season.
The big news is that Fernandez has dropped to the bench for Chelsea. It's James and Caicedo in the midfield two, sitting behind a very attacking front four.
It is one of 10 changes from midweek, with only Caicedo keeping his place.
Newcastle make four changes, but Joelinton remains on the bench with Ramsey again preferred.
Confirmed team news in full
11:19 , Alex YoungNewcastle XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Subs: Ruddy, Murphy, Shahar, Joelinton, Barnes, Willock, Wissa, Elanga, Neave
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Tosin, Acheampong, Hato, Fernandez, Santos, Buonanotte, Guiu
Chelsea XI
11:15 , Alex Young...and Chelsea!
Your Chelsea team news is in. 📰👇#CFC | #NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/8lkwMZDUP3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 20, 2025
Newcastle XI
11:15 , Alex YoungHere’s how the hosts look!
UNITED ✊ pic.twitter.com/dYdIlEqwhD
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 20, 2025
Team news is imminent.
Howe ready to unleash new-look strikeforce
11:08 , Alex YoungEddie Howe is hoping Yoane Wissa can bring the best out of Nick Woltemade with his new-look £124million strikeforce now fit and available.
Record £69million signing Woltemade has had to lead the line this season after fellow summer signing Wissa picked up a knee injury on international duty before he had kicked a ball for the club, but the £55million capture started and scored for the first time in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Fulham.
Head coach Howe, who has a defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, has not ruled out playing the two together but knows Wissa's style of play is more closely aligned to that of the departed Alexander Isak than the Germany international who replaced him.
He said: "Yoane is probably more closely linked to Alex's style without being Alex himself. Yoane has got his own strengths, and his running in behind in particular on Wednesday night, I thought, was excellent.
"His movement for slip passes and for stretching their backline, I thought, was right out of the top drawer. It was a great lesson for any young striker to watch his movement in that game.
"He's his own man and he will bring his own strengths. It's great to have him available and I think having that player there will benefit Nick as well, so he definitely makes us stronger."
Newcastle players are arriving.
Enzo's comments analysed
10:50 , Alex YoungEnzo Maresca hasn't made it any easier for himself, though.
Last week he made the stunning revelation that he felt he and the club had not been given enough support and backing after the Champions League defeat against Atalanta, where his side squandered a lead to lose. He said it had been the “worst 48 hours” of his time as manager.
He has since repeatedly stood by his comments about not feeling supported, saying: “It was not an emotional reaction, I said what I said, full stop.”
Maresca was cryptic when asked who he was referring to but dismissed the suggestion he had meant the fanbase. That prompted widespread speculation that he was referring to the Chelsea owners and sporting directors.
Quizzed on Monday ahead of the following day’s match against Cardiff City about those comments, he opted to say as little as possible on the matter.
He has since spoken with the sporting directors, though not about his comments, he insists.
Club sources initially played down his post-Everton comments as an “emotional reaction to an emotional game”, but Maresca has now directly contradicted that suggestion.
The Blues boss replied “absolutely not” when asked whether any club officials had asked him to explain his initial comments to them.
Asked whether there are things that still need to be addressed in order for the club and himself to move forward together, Maresca said: “It's a question for them, not for me.
“What I said, it was not an emotional reaction. It was not an emotional reaction. I said what I said. Full stop.”
Pressed on whether things need to be addressed with the club’s hierarchy, he maintained the same line, replying: “I already said what I said.”
Maresca 'lined up by Man City to replace Guardiola'
10:40 , Alex YoungIt’s been a strange week for Enzo Maresca.
Manchester City are believed to be strongly considering the Chelsea head coach as their next manager.
Maresca is well known at City, having previously taken charge of the Under-21s in the 2020-21 campaign before returning two years later to work as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
There is still an admiration towards Maresca among the City hierarchy, and that could lead to the club attempting to bring the Italian back to the Etihad next summer.
The Athletic report that City are drawing up a shortlist of candidates to replace Guardiola, with belief said to be growing that he could decide to walk away at the end of the season.
Maresca is high up on the list of potential replacements currently being considered.
Maresca out to prove worth as Chelsea size up 'perfect' Newcastle
10:32 , Alex YoungWhen reminded by this newspaper on Friday that Chelsea have lost every single away game against Newcastle United since 2021, Enzo Maresca slumped back into his swivel chair and exhaled in exasperation.
The Chelsea manager threw his hands aloft, too, and seemed to be bracing himself for a question that might imply he were responsible for all four of those defeats — which he isn’t. But he was in the dugout for both of the last two.
The anticipated unfair question never came. Instead, would Maresca admit that on Saturday, in their final match before Christmas, Chelsea face one of the toughest away days the Premier League has to offer?
“Yes, 100 per cent,” came his response. “But not only for Chelsea,” he qualified.
“How many teams have dropped points there? If you see this season, [Manchester] City lost there. Arsenal were losing until the end when they scored twice. So for many clubs it has been a very difficult [ground], because they have good players, a good manager, a good environment. So it’s difficult for any team.”
Newcastle vs Chelsea prediction
10:26 , Alex YoungChelsea do not tend to cope well with the journey to Newcastle - they have won just three of their last 13 visits to St James’ Park.
This feels like a fairly good time to face the Magpies, though, who have their hands tied by their unrelenting injury woes and have seen their momentum knocked by a narrow loss in the derby.
While the Geordie faithful will do everything in their power to will the side on, they will have their work cut out for them.
Chelsea to win, 2-1.
Early Chelsea team news
10:19 , Alex YoungChelsea are missing Liam Delap and Estevao today, but both could be ready for their next match against Aston Villa on December 27.
Delap is out with a shoulder injury he picked up in the goalless draw at Bournemouth earlier this month, while Estevao was not involved in the 3-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Cardiff City because of a “small muscular problem” which will again keep him out against Newcastle.
Cole Palmer is getting closer to being able to play a full 90 minutes as he slowly works his way back up to full fitness after a lay-off of more than two months due to a groin injury.
Marc Cucurella served a Carabao Cup suspension for the game at Cardiff but will come back into the team.
So will Robert Sanchez, who was rested for that match as second-choice goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was handed a rare run-out.
At centre-back, Maresca is most likely to pair Trevoh Chalobah with Wesley Fofana.
Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill all remain absent with longer-term injuries.
Early Newcastle team news
10:12 , Alex YoungEddie Howe is facing a burgeoning injury crisis.
Dan Burn was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from Nordi Mukiele during last weekend’s Tyne-and-Wear Derby, sustaining a punctured lung and rib injury in the process.
Options are thin in defence, then, where Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, and Jamal Lascelles join Burn in the physio’s room.
Ex-Chelsea full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are both expected to miss the visit of their former club, with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Hall, though, is pushing to return, with Howe admitting he “has a chance” of featuring.
Striker Will Osula (ankle) and shot-stopper Nick Pope (groin) complete the injury list.
How to watch Newcastle vs Chelsea
10:05 , Alex YoungTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 11am ahead of a 12.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from full-time, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm.
Welcome
09:59 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Chelsea.
The Blues have lost their last four trips to St James’ Park, it becoming somewhat of a bogey trip for them in recent years.
But this Newcastle team is struggling of late. Injuries has affected form, and the impact of the loss of Alexander Isak is clear for all to see.
Can they record a fifth straight home win over Chelsea? Kick-off is at 12.30pm. Stick with us.
