Premier League - Chelsea vs Newcastle United

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Premier League Matchday 25 sees struggling Newcastle United travel to London to face off against high-flying Chelsea. The sides both go into this clash off the back of huge games the weekend before. Newcastle contested an ever-important Northeast derby against bitter rivals Sunderland, which they lost 3-0, while Chelsea traveled to the imposing Etihad Stadium to face off against title rivals Manchester City in a massive 6-pointer, ultimately winning 1-0.










The corresponding fixture last season almost a year and a half ago saw Chelsea run out 2-0 winners over Alan Pardew's men in the 3rd game of the young Premier League season. Eden Hazard tucked home a penalty won by Fernando Torres just over 20 minutes in to put the home side ahead, before the Spaniard himself put his name on the scoresheet deep into first-half stoppage to double the Blues' lead and eventually hand Roberto Di Matteo's men victory.










The reverse fixture in November didn't end so well for the Blues, however, with the match yielding an identical scoreline, this time in the favour of the Magpies. It was a tense affair throughout in which Newcastle were probably the better side for the majority but struggled to break through on José Mourinho's side, who were decidedly poor on the day. They eventually did, however, through Yoan Gouffran, whose diving header guided Yohan Cabaye's well-placed free-kick past Petr Cech to put the home side ahead with little more than 20 minutes remaining. The Blues' response was quick and fervent as they searched for a vital and face-saving equaliser, but Newcastle struck again through Loic Remy a minute from the end of regular time to sew up the 3 points for the Tynesiders.










As mentioned, the sides contested hugely important games the matchday previous, and came out of them in starkly contrasting condition. Newcastle were tonked 3-0 on their own patch by loathed Northeast rivals Sunderland courtesy of goals from Adam Johnson, Jack Colback, and former-Blue Fabio Borini, while Chelsea wowed even their own supporters with a supreme performance, clean-sheet, and win over the thitherto imperious Manchester City in the infamously impenetrable fortress of the Etihad to go level points with their championship rivals.









The sides come into this clash off the back off largely differing League form as well. Newcastle, after a magnificent run started off with their win versus Chelsea in the reverse of this fixture in November that saw them win 7 games in 9 - including victories over, in addition to said Chelsea game, Tottenham and Manchester United on their own patches - have experienced a remarkable crash back down to earth of recent. The Mags have lost 4 of their last 6 and won just 1; and, having lost key midfield star Yohan Cabaye to Paris Saint-Germain in the winter transfer window, more bumpy road for Alan Pardew's men could yet lie ahead.


Chelsea, conversely, continue to maintain, and indeed improve on, their superb form of the last several months. The Blues were left frustrated by a nil-nil draw against London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge mid-week that saw them register a whopping nearly 40 shots but failed to break through even once, but bounced back in outstanding fashion with a win and a stunning performance away to title rivals and favourites Manchester City on Monday to hand the Northerners their first home loss of the season and first shutout at the Etihad in 61 matches, dating back over 3 years to November 2010. As a result, the Blues will doubtless be going into Saturday's face-off full of confidence and, with close-by League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool facing off head-to-head at Anfield a few hours before, the determination to obtain the full 3 points and ensure gaining ground on one or both.










Howard Webb, who last officiated for Chelsea in their 2-1 win over Liverpool in December and for Newcastle in their 3-0 thumping at the hands of Swansea City also in December, has been appointed referee for this match.










Fernando Torres and Fabrizio Coloccini are among those injured for either side, while frontman Loic Remy will miss the game through suspension following his red card in Newcastle's 0-0 draw with Norwich City 2 weeks ago.

Gotta use the City win to boost our boys here. No reason why we shouldn't win here. Put out a strong line up and watch out for the counter.

Chelsea boost as Fernando Torres returns to training ahead of schedule after knee injury:
A good week gets better for José Mourinho as the Spaniard formerly expected to be out three to four weeks rejoins squad early
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-boost-fernando-torres-returns-3114807

Meh, Eto'o >>>

Also, I hope Salah doesn't start but I think we'll see him from the bench.

Doubt he will.

As do I, we need to keep our momentum going and Jose knows that.

He'll put out a strong squad.

Same line-up as the City game, for me - with the exception of Luiz out and Oscar back in.

Yes, Ramires moving to CM.

Obv

Salah will no way start. Mourinho never gives starting debuts for new signings.

To add to Newcastles woes, they will be without Remy, Tiote, Coloccini and Guffran and Cisse are unlikely to play.

Good news for us.

I hope Salah at least comes off the bench.

I think Salah will get a sub appearance. I'll be pissed the f$#& off if we don't win this one.

Would completely undo all the hard work of Monday's heroics, as City will be unlucky not to hit double digits against Norwich.

Yeah we gotta win this one. Let's hope Liverpool do us a favour too.

We'll see Salah from the bench, I am sure of that.

Shed wrote:Chelsea boost as Fernando Torres returns to training ahead of schedule after knee injury:
A good week gets better for José Mourinho as the Spaniard formerly expected to be out three to four weeks rejoins squad early
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-boost-fernando-torres-returns-3114807

Not quite ready for this match but back for West Brom, said Mourinho at his presser today.

Yeah, I'd still start Eto'o, regardless.

Chelsea fans could get their first glimpse of new boy Mohamed Salah against Newcastle:
The Egypt winger is likely to start with Fernando Torres is still short of match fitness despite shrugging off his knee problem
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-team-news-fans-could-3121716




Exactly what do Torres' fitness and Salah 'starting' have anything whatsoever to do with each other, you absolute morons?

So with Arsenal's almost-certain defeat pending, 3 points today will take us above them - meaning we'll more than likely bottle it completely. #thechelseaway

Hopefully not. Could be top by tonight.

CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, D Luiz, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard (c); Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o