Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Willock gives Magpies win
Newcastle aim to hold on to their place in the top four as they welcome Chelsea to St. James’ Park
Newcastle host Chelsea in this Premier League clash which could have a big impact on the top four race. The Magpies sit third in the table after a seriously impressive start and will secure that place for the World Cup break if they defeat Graham Potter’s men at St. James’ Park. The hosts start the match six points clear of Chelsea and can extend that to nine making a top four finish tricky for the Blues.
Newcastle have won their last four matches, with Miguel Almiron playing like a man possessed with insatiable goal-scoring hunger. The forward won the Premier League’s player of the month award thanks to six goals in six games whilst Eddie Howe was also named manager of the month for leading the North East side up the table.
In contrast, the pressure on Potter is ramping up following a run of four Premier League games in a row without a win for Chelsea. Back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Arsenal are a significant concern ahead of the World Cup but Chelsea can ease the pressure by defeating Newcastle and closing the gap on the top four.
Follow all the action as Newcastle play Chelsea in their final match before the World Cup break:
Almost time for kick off
Are Manchester City going to finish the day at the top of the table? They’ll need to beat Brentford to do so.
Another record for City?
Manchester City can match the Premier League record of scoring multiple goals in 16 successive home fixtures, set by Liverpool from February to December 2019 if they bag two or more against the Bees this afternoon.
50 up for Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo is poised to become the first player to make 50 Premier League appearances for Brentford on Saturday.
Frank on Haaland
Thomas Frank would have been hoping that Erling Haaland wasn’t fit to face his team this afternoon but alas that is not the case. The Brentford boss spoke about the Norwegian striker during his press conference and was very complimentary about his abilities.
“He is a goal machine who will break records,” said Frank. “They provide him with the best possibilities to score so it is about trying to stop the source.
“We have never gone into a game without belief of being capable of winning. It’s going to be unbelievably difficult against potentially the best team in the world.”
The goal scoring machine
Erling Haaland has scored 18 goals in 12 Premier League appearances. The fewest games needed to reach 20 goals is 21 by Kevin Phillips.
He can become the first Manchester City player to score in seven consecutive top-flight home matches since David White from December 1991 to February 1992.
Premier League talking points ahead of World Cup
Fingers crossed everyone…
Gareth Southgate look away.
The 26-man England squad face one more round of fixtures before jetting off to Qatar and the Three Lions boss will be desperate to avoid any more untimely injuries, having already lost Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
England’s hopes of success will rest on Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Declan Rice et al coming through the weekend unscathed.
Premier League talking points ahead of World Cup
Who’ll top the tree at Christmas?
It comes round earlier every year, doesn’t it?
The race to be Christmas number one will be decided this weekend with Arsenal and City vying for top spot.
The Gunners are currently two points clear and head to lowly Wolves while City, with a superior goal difference, entertain erratic Brentford.
In 10 of the last 13 seasons the team at the summit over the festive period have gone on to win the title. Starting to believe yet, Arsenal fans?
Leaky defence
Brentford are winless in all seven Premier League away trips this season, with four draws and three defeats. The Bees have also only kept one clean sheet in their past 23 away games, conceding 51 goals.
Manc City to face Liverpool in post-World Cup Carabao Cup clash
Carabao Cup holders Liverpool will face Premier League champions Manchester City in the fourth round.
The ties are set to be played week commencing December 19 - just after the World Cup final in Qatar.
With the Premier League not set to resume until Boxing Day, it remains to be seen which top-flight players will be involved in the domestic cup competition.
Liverpool edged past Derby after a penalty shootout, while City beat Chelsea, last season’s Carabao Cup runners-up.
The two sides also met ahead of the new campaign in the FA Community Shield, with Liverpool running out 3-1 winners.
Liverpool to face Man City in post-World Cup Carabao Cup clash
The Premier League rivals could meet just two days after the World Cup final
City flying at home
Manchester City have equalled the club record of 16 consecutive home wins in all competitions, set between November 1920 and August 1921.
It’s 11 home league victories in a row for Pep Guardiola’ side, their best run since a 14-match streak in 2017-18.
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