Premier League - Newcastle United vs Chelsea

Premier League Matchday 15 sees Chelsea face off against their second Northeast club in a week as they take on Newcastle United at St. James' Park, having squared off against their bitter rivals Sunderland the weekend before.










The corresponding fixture last term ended calamitously for the Blues. In a decidedly flat, lacklustre performance from José Mourinho's men, the home side broke through on 68 minutes through Yoan Gouffran, who finished off Yohan Cabaye's freekick to head his side in front. The goal saw the visitors at last get their act together, and they pushed hard for an equaliser immediately thereafter, but a minute from time were finished off for good, when QPR loanee who would eventually go on to become a Chelsea player himself Loïc Rémy struck to double his side's lead and seal the points for the Tynesiders.










Similarly, José Mourinho's record against the Magpies on the road is dismal, by the Portuguese's lofty standards. Indeed, St. James' Park is the only Premier League ground the Special One is yet to taste league victory at, in 4 times of asking. The 2-time Premier League winner will be eager to buck that trend come the weekend, but with the home side well in form — with 6 wins in their last 9 matches in all competitions and just 1 defeat — he'll know better than anyone that a reversal in fortunes will require only the utmost of effort and resolve from his side.










The League's midweek round of fixtures saw the duo obtain contrasting results going into Saturday's clash. Newcastle negotiated a 1-all draw against Burnley at Turf Moor when Papiss Cisse's 48th minute goal cancelled out George Boyd's opener to earn the guests a draw, while Chelsea strolled to what can only be considered a now routine win against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge when a pair of goals from Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba in the space of 3 minutes opened up a comfortable advantage for the hosts 20 minutes in, before a Loïc Rémy strike at the other end in the second half just over 15 minutes from time finished the game off and sewed up 3 points for José Mourinho's men.




















Martin Atkinson, who last officiated for Newcastle in their 1-0 home win over Leicester City in October and for Chelsea in their 2-0 derby victory over rivals Arsenal the week before, has been appointed referee for Saturday's affair.
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First loss of the season.

Nailed on.

Mou vs Pardiola, the clash of Europe's master tacticians

fatman123 wrote:Mou vs Pardiola, the clash of Europe's master tacticians

Indeed

Pardew: I’ve been watching Chelsea since I was 12, best team I've ever seen:
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has claimed that the current Chelsea team are the best he has ever seen
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2014/12/04/ive-been-watching-chelsea-since-i-was-12-best-team-ive-ever-seen-newcastle-boss-alan-pardew/174931/

"I think it's difficult – obviously Arsenal have done it and Chelsea have come pretty close before."

"But not in all competitions – that is impossible and I think Jose has admitted that. But they're making a very good job of it at the moment."

"It's the best Chelsea team that I've ever seen and I've watched them since I was about 12 so I know them pretty well."

"I think Jose is pretty pleased with what he's got."

Chelsea fan Pards
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‘Impossible’ for Chelsea to remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, insists Newcastle boss Alan Pardew:
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew believes it will be ‘impossible’ for Chelsea to remain unbeaten in all four major competitions this season
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2860813/Chelsea-impossible-remain-unbeaten-competitions-season-says-Alan-Pardew.html

"I think it's difficult - obviously Arsenal have done it and Chelsea have come pretty close before."

"But not in all competitions - that is impossible and I think Jose has admitted that. But they're making a very good job of it at the moment."

"It's the best Chelsea team that I've ever seen and I've watched them since I was about 12 so I know them pretty well. I think Jose is pretty pleased with what he's got."

"Coloccini has been on the training ground but whether he's got enough fitness levels to play a game of this level I don't know."

"I can't really give a clear message. I'm not trying to hide behind anything but we have had recovery time and I can't really give a clear indication of how the players are."

— Pardiola, via the Daily Mail
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I really hope we can win this game. It would be hard without Matic.

'Everyone raises their game for Chelsea', says José Mourinho ahead of tricky Newcastle trip:
The Portuguese saw his side lose 2-0 at St James' Park last season and believes Alan Pardew's men treat a clash with the Blues different to other fixtures
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everyone-raises-game-chelsea-says-4754581

“It's a difficult stadium, a difficult place to play. There are a few clubs where, clearly, they see the Chelsea shirt and they make it the game of their lives – and when they play other teams they look like like are playing friendlies.”

"Maybe that's because Chelsea is a strong team everybody wants to beat.”

Mourinho on Matic's absence:

"Diego was also important for us and he didn't play and we didn't want to speak about it. This time, a big player for us is not playing but we trust other people and we forget Matic, who has a little bit of a holiday - a free weekend he deserves very much. He'll be back stronger."

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— via Sky Sports

TEAM NEWS
Newcastle - Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback are both in contention for a return to the starting line-up, having sat out Tuesday's trip to Burnley through suspension. Captain Fabricio Coloccini is back in training and could also bolster the Magpies' ranks, while there is a doubt over Sammy Ameobi, who was withdrawn at Turf Moor. Tim Krul (ankle), Ryan Taylor (knee), Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Siem de Jong (thigh), Gabriel Obertan (thigh), Davide Santon (knee) and Jonas Gutierrez (testicular cancer) are all sidelined.

— via nufc.co.uk
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Apparently Ramires is a doubt as well, which should make the midfield situation tomorrow...interesting...


Mou to start with buttbuddy Mikel, or perhaps a chance (a fat one, to be exact...) for Aké

7:41am

And we're off

Shed wrote:7:41am

Cry me a river brah

Willy just wide.

fatman123 wrote:

Shed wrote:7:41am

Cry me a river brah

Eat shit and die, a-hole.

Shed wrote:

fatman123 wrote:

Shed wrote:7:41am

Cry me a river brah

Eat shit and die, a-hole.

lol wot
Is that you shed?

Yes. The new and improved

Willy just wide again


On top here. Need to get something to show for it while we still are...

Shed wrote:Yes. The new and improved

I guess it's not hard to improve on rubbish

You speak from experience, o wise one.

Courtois