Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park on Sunday in what is a pivotal game in the race for Champions League qualification.
Both teams head into the game level on points and on goal difference after Chelsea capitalised on the Magpies’ 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion by beating newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1.
Only goals scored separate the two clubs ahead of the remaining three games of the season with United sitting in fourth and the Blues in fifth.
After watching Newcastle draw at Brighton in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off, Enzo Maresca’s side took the field at Stamford Bridge in the 4:30pm kick-off and managed to take full advantage against a Liverpool side that featured six changes.
Enzo Fernandes broke the deadlock for Chelsea early on before a Jarell Quansah own goal doubled the lead. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back before a late Cole Palmer penalty restored the two-goal advantage.
Chelsea injury blow ahead of facing Newcastle United
Chelsea were again without attacker Christopher Nkunku, who has missed three of the last four matches.
The Frenchman did not travel to the Swedish capital of Stockholm for Thursday night’s 4-1 victory over Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final tie, having stayed in West London due to a “small problem”.
Read More
Maresca said that Nkunku would be assessed before the Liverpool game but has now confirmed the player will be absent for “10 to 15 days”, ruling him out of Thursday’s second leg and the visit to St James’ Park.
“Christo will be out for, I'm not sure, I think one week, two weeks,” said Maresca. “We are going to see. He will be out for the next 10 days, 15 days.”
Newcastle United have their own injury concern
Late on against Brighton, Eddie Howe withdrew both Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar. While United’s head coach confirmed Trippier had cramp, he was unable confirm the same for Schar, suggesting a potential muscle injury.
“I'm not 100% sure with Faby,” said Howe. “Faby was limping, I don't know whether that's cramp or a muscle issue, so I'd need to check. Kieran, I'm pretty sure was cramp.”
The former Switzerland international has only missed four of Newcastle’s 35 Premier League games this campaign, and three of those were because of suspension.
Continue Reading