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By HARRY BAMFORTH and CRAIG HOPE AT ST JAMES' PARK Published: 19: 45 AEST, 11 May 2025 | Updated: 21: 01 AEST, 11 May 2025 6 View comments Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Newcastle host Chelsea at St James' Park in the Premier League. Is this really a lunchtime kick-off? Usually, the atmosphere for games at this time is absolutely dead. I'm not the biggest fan of covering the lunchtime fixtures, I have to say. But when it's at St James' Park, it's a different kettle of fish. This place is absolutely bouncing, there can't be many sore heads like I predicted. Or if there are, they have made on hell of a recovery. Flags are being waved, banners are out, and 'Hey Jude' is being roared out from the Gallowgate as the team comes out. The perfect setting for the perfect fixture. Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport: Are you excited? I, for one, can't wait for this to get going. The players have just polished off their final preparations and have now gone back into their dressing rooms. I'm pretty sure we can all predict what the managers are telling them. .. 'Please just go and win. ' Well, maybe in a slightly fruitier language, if you know what I mean. Cole Palmer must be feeling as light as ever. The weight of having not scored since January was finally lifted last week against Liverpool, as he netted a last-minute penalty. Yes, people will say that it was only a spot-kick, but it will still do wonders for Palmer's confidence. Once one goes in, they start coming like London buses. Well, that's what the Chelsea man will be hoping for. I know it's late in the season now, but if he can build on last week's goal for the last three games of the season, then I have no doubt that the Blues will be playing Champions League football next term. There is no time like the present to re-find your scoring touch, is there? Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker, speaking to Betfair: You know that we all have those players that we just adore watching? Well, if you read my stuff regularly (which I hope you all do), then you will know that Alexander Isak is mine. I'm pretty sure I rave about him on the regular, I can't stop. The Newcastle man plays with such elegance when on the ball, and my word is he is clinical. I mean, he has an air of Thierry Henry about him with the way he glides across the pitch, and also his finishing. Every single time I watch Isak play, I get flashbacks to Henry's glory years. Don't get me wrong, Isak's form has not been quite as good in the past month, but every player has those patches. Even though the Swede isn't flying anymore, he's still banging the goals in. Isak has recorded the most goals (19) and non-penalty goals (15) in the Premier League since the start of December, while he is second only to Mohamed Salah (30) for goal involvements (23). The Swede could score in a fourth successive league game against Chelsea, something he’s only done before in the competition against Brentford and Nottingham Forest. I wouldn't bet against him doing it, to be honest. Eddie Howe, Newcastle manager, speaking to TNT Sports: On injuries: Wow, would you just look at that. There isn't a single cloud in the sky above St James' Park; the weather is truly stunning right now. I said it yesterday, and I will say it today: If you are heading to the stadium, you really ought to bring your sun cream. If you don't, you may end up looking like a hot cheeto. .. I wonder what is going through Eddie Howe's head right now. Yes, I know he has just spoken about them to the media, but come on, that won't be how he is truly feeling deep down. There have to be some nerves in that belly as he heads back into the dressing room, right? After all, this is a mammoth game for his Newcastle side. As my colleague Craig said, this is practically like a different version of the Europa League final. If the Magpies want Champions League footie, they need to win. Newcastle do enjoy a game against Chelsea at St James' Park. Look, that's not to say that the Blues have a bad record against the Magpies, that's not the case at all when it comes to meetings at Stamford Bridge. However, in recent years, Newcastle normally get the better of them on home soil. Newcastle have won seven of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea, including both under manager Eddie Howe. They also beat Enzo Maresca's side 2-0 here in the Carabao Cup, and we know what that ended up leading to, don't we? I'm sure the fans that are filling the stands right now will be fairly confident about seeing their side pick up three points today. But with Chelsea flying like they are, who knows how this will end up? Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport: Enzo Fernandez's Chelsea career has been one hell of a rollercoaster. I remember when he signed for the club two years ago for £105million, the Chelsea fans were buzzing after seeing how he played for Argentina. However, the start of his Blues career wasn't exactly great. .. I'd even go as far as saying it's taken until this season, with Enzo Maresca coming in, for us to see the best of Fernandez in a Chelsea shirt. Now, though, he is absolutely cooking. No Chelsea player has been directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2025 than Fernandez, with three goals and three assists. He has scored or assisted in each of his last three games in the competition. Since the turn of the year, he’s second in the Premier League for chances created from open play (34) behind Mohamed Salah (45), and joint-third for possession won in the final third (15). Can he keep that run of form going today? It feels like a lifetime ago that Anthony Gordon started for Newcastle. I mean, who would have thought that his red card against Brighton two months ago would see him drop out of the side for so long? Yes, he did have an injury problem with England at that time, but he still returned some time ago. With how he had been playing before that sending off, you just expected him to come straight back in and shine alongside his team-mates again. However, a certain Harvey Barnes has been masterful in his absence, and that's why he couldn't get back in the team. I mean, I don't know what changed, but the former Leicester man just became top class all of a sudden. Today, we will get to see them play together, with Eddie Howe opting to go incredibly attacking with his team selection. Gordon may have had a few substitute appearances, but he will need to shake off some ring rust. It's time for him to prove a point. Why change a winning formula, eh? Enzo Maresca decides to revert to the same starting line-up that took down champions Liverpool last week. That means Romeo Lavia anchors the midfield with Enzo Fernandez again after his brilliant display against the Reds. Can he shine again? See, you didn't have to wait long. As I have already told you, Sven Botman partners with Fabian Schar at the back this evening. Anthony Gordon also makes his first start since being sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup at the start of March. He's had to wait a long time for that! Right, it's nearly time for team news. Well, I don't want to gloat, but I already have the line-ups in front of me. .. Don't worry, I will share them with you in just a moment. For now, though, I will give you the big news. After returning from injury against Ipswich and Brighton, Newcastle defender Sven Botman starts today against Chelsea. Eddie Howe normally likes to keep with the same 11 week in, week out, but not today. He's made a couple of changes. You will find out the other in a second! Right, before we dive into the juicy stuff, I think we should look at the plan for the day. I mean, you'd be forgiven for mistaking this as a Saturday schedule. I haven't seen a Sunday this stacked maybe ever. There are so many games. This is the start of what could be a spectacular day. Premier League schedule: Early bird catches the worm, am I right? I know, I know, this feels weird. I, too, had to make a double-take when I looked at the schedule and saw that there was a lunchtime kick-off on a Sunday. When does this ever happen in Premier League football? It's a real rarity, that's for sure. I just feel bad for those of you who made the most of your Saturday nights and are now heading to St. James' Park. There are surely going to be more than a few sore heads in that ground today. It will be worth it, though. This isn't one of the dead rubber games you usually get this time of season; this is a real biggie. Both Newcastle and Chelsea are locked level on 63 points in the battle for Champions League football, which is heating up by the week. This is simply a must-win game for the pair of them. Win, and they go above Manchester City and into third, but lose, and the nerves will only notch up after Aston Villa's win last night. So yeah, you may be feeling groggy, but I'm sure this game will bring you back to life. If you're at home, grab yourself a cuppa, sit back, and relax. Let's get this show on the road. As a Villa fan, I'm not sure what the best result . ..
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