Premier League game time arrives at St James’ Park as Newcastle United prepare to host champions Chelsea in the week 15 game on Sunday 28 November.
A few weeks ago, Newcastle stunned Sunderland 5-1. Match week 14 saw a repeat of that score, except Chris Hughton’s side were on the receiving end, with Bolton the beneficiary. Despite the defeat, the Magpies are in the top half of the points table, but in an extremely close league, they are just four points behind 18th-placed Wigan.
Carroll, as always, was outstanding, albeit in a losing effort, and scored a second-half goal to narrow the gap. The absence of both Barton and Tiote dealt a double blow to Hughton’s men, who would also be justified in considering themselves subject to harsh refereeing. Coloccini was a weak link in the Magpies defence, who did not know how to handle Elmander’s pace and the Bolton striker seized the opportunity to score a brace.
Chelsea is coming off a 1-0 away loss to Birmingham, their third in four games. Ancelotti’s men began the season with a winning streak and a rain of goals. His campaign has lost its initial strength, and with a long list of injuries, the Stamford Bridge team’s weak bench is exposed.
Contrast this with the performance of their rivals at Old Trafford. While Manchester United have followed Chelsea, their salvation has been their unbeaten record. They’ve shown the kind of resiliency we expect to see in champions, even when they’re below their best.
The latest blow for Chelsea, John Terry in the background for a few weeks, has been the hardest to bear. The team’s early season performance bore the stamp of Terry’s leadership and character. The defense is vulnerable without him, as is the midfield without Lampard.
Head to head In their last twenty league games, Chelsea have won 13 and lost just 2, with the remaining five drawn. Both of the Magpies’ victories have come at home, the last recorded in April 2006.
Before the game against Chelsea, Newcastle will be encouraged by the return of Tiote.
Newcastle had the following men in their starting eleven against Bolton: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, José Enrique, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Gutiérrez, Carroll and Ameobi; the Magpies used Routledge, Lovenkrands and Campbell as substitutes.
The following men made up Chelsea’s starting XI against Birmingham: Cech, Ferreira, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba and Kalou; the substitutes who participated were Bosingwa and Sturridge.
No Comment