Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Blues get off to perfect start thanks to Nicolas Jackson

Suddenly this game has stirred into life with chances at both ends.

Joe Willock stabs over the ball for Newcastle, with the flag eventually going up. Wrongly.

Had Willock found the net that would have counted.

Raheem Sterling forces a stop from Dubravka at the other end.

Sterling shoots straight at the Newcastle goalkeeper after creating space for the shot.

Did the hard bit!

Nearly an instant riposte from Chelsea.

Nicolas Jackson has the ball in the net and thinks he has doubled his and Chelsea’s tally.

A good finish from the forward after being sent through over the top.

The flag goes up to deny Jackson.

Into four minutes of added time at the end of the half.

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope at Stamford Bridge:

It’s brilliant from Bruno to win the ball and dink Isak clear.

There was still work to do but he worked the angle for a shot and found the bottom corner.

The home crowd could turn now, you suspect.

Brilliant finish!

Newcastle have edged their way back into this contest and have snatched a leveller on the stroke of half-time.

More really sloppy play as both sides struggle to keep possession.

Alexander Isak injects some quality with a brilliant right foot shot across Petrovic into the bottom corner.

Raheem Sterling is the first player booked for a foul on Tino Livramento.

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope at Stamford Bridge:

Anthony Gordon’s night is over.

He’s been struggling since the first few minutes with what appears to be a knee injury.

He is replaced by Jacob Murphy. It was clear he was trying to run it off but was not moving well at all.

A good introduction from Murphy who whips a dangerous cross into the Chelsea box.

Miguel Almiron does likewise but Marc Cucurella does enough ahead of Joe Willock and wins a free kick.

Willock is adamant it should be a corner.

Another blow for Gordon after a challenge from Cucurella.

The Newcastle star is down and does not look happy. After treatment the physio signals to the bench that his race is run.

Gordon limps off and Jacob Murphy is on.

Another injury to add to the list for Newcastle.

A big blow for Gordon’s England hopes too.

Pleas from Enzo Fernandez as he protests giving away a free kick in midfield with a sliing challenge.

The free kick offers up a rate Newcastle chance. Well half chance.

Gordon eventually finds the ball at his feet in the box but Marc Cucurella is there to block.

Cucurella celebrates his block which comes at the expense of a corner. The set piece comes to nothing for Newcastle.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor and It’s All Kicking Off podcast host, at Stamford Bridge:

Things are definitely not right here with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.

He hasn’t been right since taking knock after about 15 minutes and has not been offering his full-back Dan Burn any protection on the left side of the visitors’ formation.

Now he has been instructed by Eddie Howe to come over to the right side with Miguel Almiron taking up his position.

It wont matter where he plays if he cant run, however. It’s one to keep an eye on.

It is all coming down one side with Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer teaming up against Dan Burn.

Another cross from the right eventually leads to Moises Caicedo scuffing a shot wide.

Gary Neville on Sky Sports is urging Anthony Gordon to get back to help out Dan Burn, who looks like he has gone ’10 rounds with Tyson Fury’.

Gordon is then promptly moved out to the right wing, with Miguel Almiron moving to the left to help out Burn.

Cole Palmer looks to be enjoying himself against Dan Burn.

A couple of shimmys out wide, before laying the ball to Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the box.

The Argentine curls over the crossbar.

What a scrappy bit of play.

Possession is turned over about five times in the midfield with Chelsea eventually coming out on top.

The Blues come forward and its another shot from range on the Newcastle goal.

About the same pace as the Palmer shot earlier that led to the goal.

This one did not trickle past Dubravka, who gathers low to his right.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor and It’s All Kicking Off podcast host, at Stamford Bridge:

A win tonight would be huge for Newcastle in terms of their quest for European football and they had actually begun the game well until the Chelsea goal flew in.

There is no such thing as a good goal to concede but this was a particularly bad one.

The clearance from Sven Botman was a poor one and Cole Palmer’s shot travelled an awfully long way at something akin to a snail’s pace before Nicolas Jackson applied a back flick to take it in to the corner.

On the touchline Newcastle manager Eddie Howe just looked a bit bemused and it’s little wonder.

A potential concern for Newcastle as Anthony Gordon looks to pull up chasing a ball out wide.

He eventually gives the all clear to the Newcastle bench and is okay to carry on.

The cameras immediately pick out the watching Gareth Southgate in the stands.

Chelsea have been lifted by that Jackson goal, with Cole Palmer involved again.

He cuts in from the right and tests Dubravka with a low shot.

Not the most powerful. Chelsea are getting joy down their right and Newcastle’s left.

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope at Stamford Bridge:

Terrible goal for Newcastle to concede after a good start.

Cross comes over too easily, Botman makes a poor clearance when Dubravka could have collected & a weak Palmer shot is flicked in by Jackson.

Howe looked furious down below us.

That man again! Or is it?

Cole Palmer shots from the edge of the box. It’s not the best connection in the world but it beats Dubravka.

Has Nicolas Jackson got a touch? He might well have.

A cheeky flick from the striker seems to have diverted the ball in.

Chelsea’s announcer has given the goal to Palmer, but Sky Sports are going with Jackson.

Looks right to me.

Chelsea’s first break forward comes from guess who? Cole Palmer.

Palmer is found by Raheem Sterling out on the right flank. His cross into the box is drifts long.

At the other end, there is an easy gather for Petrovic from a los cross.

Really bright start from Newcastle who have immediately look to press Chelsea high up the pitch.

Marc Cucurella, back in the Chelsea side after three months, is under pressure straight away but wins a goal kick by his own corner flag.

Petrovic’s pass out is wayward and Chelsea keep the pressure on themselves.

A decent sounding atmosphere at Stamford Bridge under the lights.

The stadium announcer calls for the club to celebrate its 118th birthday, which fell yesterday, in the right way.

Will they?

We are underway!

The players are in the tunnel at Stamford Bridge with five minutes to go until kick-off.

The perfect time to give you a reminder of the respective team news.

Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Chalobah, Disasi, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Sterling, Jackson, Palmer

Subs: Sanchez, Silva, Mudryk, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Casadei, Deivid, Gilchrist, Acheampong.

Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Isak, Gordon

Subs: Karius, Lascelles, Krafth, Targett, Miley, White, Anderson, Murphy, Ritchie

I mentioned Anthony Gordon discussing his England ambitions with Mail Sport earlier on.

Allow me to point you in the direction of his full interview with Craig Hope.

Among the topics are how he was hated by his Newcastle team-mates after clashing with them during his time at Everton, as well as the meaning of his celebration.

READ MORE:

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor and It’s All Kicking Off podcast host, at Stamford Bridge:

It’s another Chelsea home game and as such another litmus test of Mauricio Pochettino’s relationship with the Chelsea fans.

They Blues faithful made their feelings known as Chelsea drew at Brentford a week or so ago and it very much feels as though the Tottenham boss is on borrowed time with those on the terraces even if it’s not got to that stage in the boardroom quite yet.

The fact Pochettino is a former Spurs manager doesn’t help him but it is results have that killed the Argentinean as much as anything.

Here tonight against a Newcastle team that lacks consistency on the road, it feels like a big night for Raheem Sterling in front of England manager Gareth Southgate.

Sterling is a long way down the pecking order with the national team though and I can’t see him being named in Thursday’s squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley.

Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon are right at the heart of that conversation, however…..

As referenced by Eddie Howe earlier, Newcastle’s record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League is not a pretty one.

Chelsea have lost just one of their 28 home games against Newcastle in the Premier League.

The Blues have won 20 and drawn seven against tonight’s opponents.

Newcastle’s sole victory was certainly a memorable one.

Papiss Cisse scored a brace in a 2-0 win for Newcastle back in 2012, including THAT swerving shot from out on the wing.

Both of these sides seem to have been delivering running medical bulletins this season due to their ongoing injury crisis.

Newcastle’s latest bulletin is that Harvey Barnes misses out tonight due to a hamstring problem.

Kieran Gill also reports that Conor Gallagher missed at least three days of training this week due to illness.

One to keep an eye on this evening to see how goes.

Mauricio Pochettino has told Sky Sports that Gallagher is ready to play.

He’s in a good condition and is ready to play,’ Pochettino said.

It’s a very important game. It’s important the performance is good, that the supporters can help us.

Mail Sport Chelsea reporter Kieran Gill at Stamford Bridge:

I asked Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday if he would ever quit this Chelsea project. ‘No, no, no,’ he said. ‘Why? Never.’

But if Newcastle win tonight, I suspect we could see the supporters turn on him like they did in the 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Being a Tottenham man, Pochettino was always facing an uphill battle to win over Chelsea’s fans. Only winning will ensure that.

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle must improve defensively to boost their form.

The Magpies have conceded 29 away league goals this season, with only Sheffield United having a worse record. Newcastle have gone 10 away games without a clean sheet.

Our ambitions are to get back to our very best performing levels. It’s been a really challenging season, our performance levels the last couple of seasons has been inconsistent. Tactically for every game we’re slightly different,’ Howe told Sky Sports.

Today we’ve prepared for Chelsea. There has been a focus on our defensive performance – to get back to our levels defensively is key to winning games.

Newcastle’s record here hasn’t been too good, that’s something we’re looking to put right.

Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright have been speaking on Monday Night Football ahead of tonight’s clash.

Carragher believes both sides will be disappointed with how their season has panned out, but believe both sides can still secure Europe.

I think both teams will be disappointed with the season.

The FA Cup is going to be difficult for Newcastle but they can get right in there for the European places. European football two years in a row is a decent achievement.

Wright believes Newcastle should be looking to attack Chelsea tonight amid the Blues struggles this season.

It’s vitally important for Chelsea that they take advantage of the possession they have. Newcastle will probably come here in a low block. I feel like Newcastle should come here and really have a go.

I think it could be a springboard for Newcastle. If you look at their run in it’s probably games they can get something out of. Chelsea have to get some form going, something for the fans to hold on to.

I feel Newcastle should be disappointed if they can’t get into European football.

A bit more England chat following Newcastle’s team news.

Kieran Trippier has admitted Euro 2024 is likely to be his last tournament with the Three Lions.

Trippier has offered his backing for Livramento to take his place with England.

‘Tino, for such a young guy, is unbelievable,’ said Trippier. ‘I’ve had loads of talks with him, firstly to try to help him. I know he’s my position, but I don’t want to be selfish.

‘He’s versatile, right-back, left-back, like myself. He’ll be unbelievable for Newcastle in the future, and an England right-back as well – that is how highly I rate him.’

With Kieran Trippier absent through injury, Tino Livramento starts at right back for Newcastle.

Livramento is facing his former side this evening.

Miguel Almiron is also back in the starting line-up with Jacob Murphy dropping to the bench.

The big team news for Chelsea sees the return of Marc Cucurella to the starting line-up.

His return follows another injury setback for Ben Chilwell.

Raheem Sterling is also named in the starting line-up while Conor Gallagher has made it having been a doubt for the match.

Gallagher captains the Blues.

Anthony Gordon has not been shy to express his intention to secure a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

So much so that he told Mail Sport that he has not booked a summer holiday, telling his girlfriend that Germany is ‘very nice’.

‘I’m not going to shy away from my aim of going to the Euros,’ he said. ‘I don’t think that I should. My missus has been nagging me , “Can we book a holiday? Places are getting full”. I’ve told her, “Germany is very nice”.

‘I absolutely love playing for England. Those words can be said too easily. I’ve played with players in the youth system and they’ll throw on Instagram, “Always an honour”.

Does Gordon deserve a first senior England call-up on Thursday?

READ MORE:

Around 10 minutes until team news lands and there will be a further reason for England players to impress this evening.

Craig Hope, Mail Sport North-East Football and England Correspondent:

I’m here at Stamford Bridge but, more importantly for some, I’m hearing Gareth Southgate will be too.

That is potentially big news for the likes of Anthony Gordon, who spoke to Mail Sport about his England ambitions at the weekend.

Chelsea also include Conor Gallagher, Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling in their XI. Southgate names his squad for this month’s friendlies on Thursday, so a big performance tonight would do the England hopefuls no harm at all.

Pochettino has insisted ahead of tonight’s match that his squad are fully behind him and dismissed chants from supporters for former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

The 52-year-old remains insistent that Chelsea are now in a ‘new project’ which will take time.

‘Look, I respect Jose. He is my friend. He was amazing for this club. Circumstances are circumstances,’ Pochettino said.

‘You need to ask the players. If the players believe that with another coach they can do better, I am the first who says, ‘Look, hey’, or maybe they can talk with the owner or sporting director.

‘The players are doing everything to try to win. Is it a problem of attitude? You can see in the way that they behave that they are behind us.’

READ MORE:

Mauricio Pochettino took a leaf out of the Black Eyed Peas book earlier this month, appearing to question where the love was from the Chelsea fans.

‘Someone asked me do you feel love from the fans?’ Pochettino said post-match

‘No, between the coach and the fans, you build your relationship through winning games, but at the moment we cannot match the expectation.

‘If we are not matching the expectation, am I going to ask for love? Normally in football you show your frustration with the coach, the people above.

‘I will not ask for nothing. I will continue to work and try to change this perception and win games.’

Tonight feels a massive match for Pochettino in front of Chelsea home fans.

Both Chelsea and Newcastle will have West Ham as the initial target with the Hammers currently sitting in the qualification spot for the Europa Conference League.

Eddie Howe’s side will move above West Ham if they beat Chelsea tonight.

Newcastle would then be able to look towards Manchester United in sixth.

There is more work to do for Chelsea, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side seven points behind West Ham.

However, tonight is the first of two games in hand.

Good evening everyone.

Tonight’s match might not have the billing of the crunch title showdown at Anfield on Sunday between Liverpool and Man City, but it carries great important to two sides bidding for European football next season.

Both Newcastle and Chelsea will perhaps be relieved by the quieter build-up given they are currently occupying 10th and 11th place in the Premier League heading into this one.

Europe is by no means out of the question for either side and a victory tonight would do their prospects the world of good.

Stick with us throughout the evening for all the build-up and coverage from Stamford Bridge.