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By HARRY BAMFORTH and CRAIG HOPE AT ST JAMES' PARK Published: 19: 45 AEST, 11 May 2025 | Updated: 23: 22 AEST, 11 May 2025 182 View comments Relive 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.   Right, it's time for me to shoot off. We built this up as a mammoth match in the battle for Champions League football, which is just so tight as the season comes to a close. And well, Newcastle walk away from today knowing they have nearly secured top-five football. They got off to an absolute flyer with Sandro Tonali netting inside two minutes to send St James' Park balmy. The Magpies battered Chelsea for the rest of the first half, and got a major boost when Nicolas Jackosn had a brian fart and elbowed Sven Botman in an off the ball challenge. I mean, it was so silly, and after a VAR check, he was sent off. Everybody thought it was curtains for the Blue after that, but they played much better with 10 men, rather than 11, and had Newcastle under the cosh. But Enzo Maresca's side couldn't take their chances despite all the pressure, and Bruno Guimaraes killed them off at the death. It leaves Chelsea in a sticky situation with two games to go. They now need to win their final two games this season and hope other results go their way to qualify for the Champions League. Anyway, I need to dash. Thank you for joining me, and I will see you later at Anfield. Nedum Onuoha, former Manchester City defender, on BBC Radio 5 Live: Want to see how Newcastle killed off Chelsea? Well, unless you are a Blues fan, I imagine that the answer is a resounding yes. For most of the second half, nerves engulfed St James' Park as Chelsea chased an equaliser, despite being a man down. You can hear the relief in the roar as Bruno Guimaraes finds the back of the net here. They knew they needed it. It's not often you see a Newcastle team winning with such regularity. These days, the Magpies are a different beast; they have a team that is worthy of Champions League football. That was their 20th Premier League win of the season, the first time they have won 20 or more games in a single season in the competition since 2002-03. That season was the last time they finished in the top three of the division. So, I would say that is a good omen for them. Even when they qualified for the Champions League two seasons ago, they didn't even win 20 league games. It shows how they are continuing to progress. Is that the win that secures Newcastle Champions League football? Look, I know it's not mathematically done, but they are now three points clear of both Chelsea and Aston Villa with two games to go. They play Arsenal next week away from home, where they don't have a great record, but they finish the season off at St James' Park against Everton, whom you can see them beating. You feel they need just three points from those fixtures to get the job done, and I can't see them not doing that. If I were a Geordie, I'd be preparing for some European trips next season. Get the sun cream out! That is a massive three points for Newcastle! They were made to work hard for it in that second half by the 10 men of Chelsea, who were the better side after the break. But in the end, Bruno Guimaraes' late strike killed the game idea, and the Magpies have taken a massive stride toward Champions League football with just two games to go. For Chelsea, though, that could be a catastrophic loss. .. Ohhhhh, that's a nasty one. Moises Caicedo and Lewis Miley both go up for a header, and it ends with Caicedo in a heap on the floor. Miley headers the Chelsea man's head, rather than the ball, and that has got to hurt. Chants of 'Brunoooo' ring around the ground as they serenade their hero after his goal. That strike has made all the difference, and he leaves the pitch to a standing ovation. Sean Longstaff replaces him. During the celebrations of that goal, the amount of stoppage time was revealed. There is going to be five minutes added on, but they don't really matter anymore because of Bruno Guimaraes' strike. Meanwhile, Levi Colwill has been booked. That's game over! Just as it looked like Chelsea may just find a late leveller, Bruno Guimaraes gets a slice of luck to kill the game off. The Newcastle midfielder decides to have a pop from outside the area, it takes a monster deflection, and dips over Robert Sanchez. A roar of relief engulfs St James' Park. It's yellow card galore today. Another one comes out of the pocket of John Brooks as Emil Krafth is booked for a bit of afters. He ain't a happy boy. Was that the chance? ?? Reece James is in a heap on the floor with his head in his hands, he can't believe that he hasn't scored an equaliser. Enzo Maresca can't either. James gets on the end of a cross, and he just needs to get his header on target, but the ball dips just over the bar. And that could be that. Big chance wasted. It's all hands to the pump for Newcastle now. Chelsea have the hosts pinned right back and are giving it everything to find an equaliser. The home fans are not happy, they are screaming at their players to attack. It doesn't look like they want to. Bruno Guimaraes gets his customary yellow card. The Brazilian seems to not have taken a liking to Enzo Fernandez; he keeps wiping him out. And he does so again, which is one time too many for John Brooks, and he gets booked. Not that he looks like he cares. Ooooft, that's so close! The Newcastle fans fall silent as Enzo Fernandez pulls the trigger following a good move; it's a heart-in-mouth moment. It's a great effort that is hurtling toward the top corner, but Nick Pope produces a wonderful stop to tip the ball over the bar. You could cut the tension inside here with a knife, right now. It's not been Cole Palmer's day. .. not in the slightest. The midfielder has struggled to build on his performance against Liverpool last week, his luck has run out again. He gets whistled as he looks to ping in a cross, but those whistles turn to ironic cheers as he blasts the ball out of play. Not great. Ohhhh, Harvey Barnes. .. The winger has the chance to win the game, and he absolutely blows it. So poor. He ghosts in at the back post and his found with nobody around him, but his touch is absolutely abysmal and Robert Sanchez collects the ball. I mean, how does a professional have that bad of a touch in those scenarios? It beats me. Enzo Maresca turns to the bench again. The Apaniard is certainly going for it now, with Jadon Sancho and Malo Gusto both coming on. Romeo Lavia and Trevoh Chalobah make way, which suggests Reece James will move into midfield. That is a huge tackle from Levi Colwill! Harvey Barnes looks to sweep past him in the box, and if he succeeds, the goal is at his mercy. But Colwill does brilliantly to get a foot in and take the ball away from Barnes, right at the critical moment. A goal-saving challenge. Ohhhh, that's a real chance for Newcastle to kill the game. With all of the pressure they have been under, the hosts finally manage to get out of their own half. Jacob Murphy dinks a lovely little ball over the top for Bruno Guimaraes to run onto. The Brazilian picks it up on the right-hand side of the area and just has Robert Sanchez to beat, but he smashes his effort miles over. He has to do better there. With every minute that passes, Chelsea continue to grow in confidence. They are knocking the ball about as if they are the team with a man advantage, not the other way around. If the Blues somehow get something out of this game, it would be incredibly impressive. It is not out of the realm of possibility, the way they are playing. This is a very telling substitution from Eddie Howe. He has decided to take off winger Anthony Gordon for full-back Emil Krafth with 25 minutes to go. I mean, the fact that he is having to make this change despite his team having an extra man is quite silly. The Magpies are really struggling here. Do I sense some time-wasting, surely not? Well, Jacob Muprhy has just been booked for delaying the restart, so my senses are correct. Remember, Newcastle are the ones with 11 men, which is mental. By Harry Bamforth That's a massive save from Nick Pope! Newcastle have their keeper to thank as he gets low to brilliantly deny Marc Cucurella a leveller. The ball is switched over to the full-back in the box and he drills a sweet low effort toward the far bottom corner. He doesn't half get hold of the ball, but Pope palms it away. Chelsea are really growing into this game now. I thought they were dusted when Nicolas Jackson got sent off, but they are playing better with ten men than when they had 11. The Blues are having all of the ball and are pressing Newcastle back into their own box. You can feel the anxiety filling the stands. That's brilliant from Levi Colwill. Alexander Isak looks as though he is in on his own, but Colwill gallops beside him as he goes to pull the trigger. The two have a right old wrestle, and in the end, Colwill does well to put it out for a corner. From that set-piece, Isak shanks a volley miles wide. That was a very good shift from Sven Botman. After all of the injuries he has had, the Dutchman looked comfortable out there in his first start back. Eddie Howe is managing his minutes, though, and Lewis Miley comes on to replace him. That signals a change in formation. More groans from the home fans. This time, they come due to the fact that Fabian Schar is shown a yellow card. It's a poor challenge on Enzo Fernandez, it has to be said. The longer Newcastle don't get that second, even though Chelsea have 10 men, this place will get nervy. You can already feel it a little bit as decisions go against them. Frustration is growing, and the Magpies desperately need to get that cushion. The Gallowgate is screaming for a penalty - the fans are incensed. Reece James and Anthony Gordon come shoulder-to-shoulder in the area, and the strength of James sees the winger flop to the floor. It's never going to be a penalty, but that doesn't stop Gordon from having a right old moan either. Good challenge in my book. Wait, what? I really thought that Tino Livaremento had picked up a serious injury there, as did everyone around me. A replay of the knee jolt showed just how bad it was. But Livarmento has since got off and has a little jump about on the sidelines, he is completely fine. That's great news. Oh no. .. this doesn't look good. Tino Livarmento is down holding his knee, and it looks like he is in a lot of pain. It looked as though he jolted it as he went to the ground, which is never normally a good sign. Eddie Howe will be holding his breath right now. Enzo Maresca has decided to make a change at the break. He brings on skipper Reece James for Noni Madueke, which suggests a more defensive approach. Both teams are back out now, and it's go time. Peter Crouch, former Tottenham striker, on TNT Sports: Just listen to that roar. I praised the Newcastle fans for their atmosphere before kick-off, seeing as it is a lunchtime game. I didn't think they could get much louder at this time on a Sunday, but Sandro Tonali's goal had St James' Park shaking. The fans know how much it means at this stage of the season with the club chasing Champions League footie. How big could this goal turn out to be? What a seaosn Jacob Murphy is ahving. Honestly, I still find it mental the career revival that Murphy has had under Eddie Howe at Newcastle. What a player he has grown into. The cross for Sandro Tonali's opener was his 12th assist in the Premier League this campaign. Guess what? Only Mohamed Salah has more, which is always the way. We have to start here, don't we? I mean, what the hell was running through Nicolas Jackson's head as he went to make this challenge? He doesn't even look at the ball; he just goes straight for Sven Botman. Surely he wasn't so silly as to think he would get away with it. Well, evidently he was. .. So far, so good for Newcastle. The Chelsea players race straight over to John Brooks after the whistle, Cole Palmer leading the charge. The red card to Nicolas Jackson really has them riled up, and that's not entirely helpful at this stage. They need to find something special if they want to return to something with at least a point. Can I see it happening? Not particularly. Enzo Fernandez needs to calm down. The Chelsea skipper goes absolutely mental at the referee after Cole Palmer is penalised for a foul on Anthony Gordon. If he isn't careful, he could see red too soon. Oh my word, Pedro Neto is rapid! The winger finally gets some space to run into on the counter and he absolutely rinses Dan Burn down the right-hand side. The big man looks like he is gasping as he tries to track the winger, meanwhile, Neto is cruising into the box. In the end, Neto's effort doesn't cause any problems, but he has some serious wheels. Well, that's a lot of stoppage time. Newcastle have six minutes to try and build a cushion before the break, while Chelsea try to hold on. This will feel like a long six minutes for the visitors. Ohhhh, that is naughty! Bruno Guimaraes produces a stunning touch to slide Harvey Barnes in on goal. I mean, it's just silly. Barnes can't take advantage, though, as he blasts the ball wide from eight yards out. That pass deserved a goal. What the hell is that? Pedro Neto has a shot blocked and then Newcastle race away on the counter. Jacob Murphy, who is usually brilliant at crossing, then tries to whip one into the box. But this time, he miscues it so badly I'm pretty sure it's on its way to the moon. Chelsea are losing their marbles here. You'd think after that red card, the remaining players would calm down, but it seems to have had the opposite effect. Romeo Lavia is the next player to go flying into a challenge, and St James' Park isn't happy. Enzo Maresca needs to calm his players down. Ohhhh, I thought that was in! Newcastle come within inches of taking advantage of the extra man within just minutes. A free-kick is whipped into the back post, and of course, Dan Burn rises highest to meet it. His header looks set to nestle into the side-netting, but it flies the wrong side of the post. So, so close. Get the water running, Nicolas Jackson is going for an early bath. It doesn't take long for the referee to change the yellow card to red, and I can't say I'm surprised. It's absolutely ridiculous from Jackson, what was he thinking? He takes his time trudging off the pitch, and it's the last time we will see him this season. It goes from bad to worse to the Blues. Well, VAR is taking a look. I told you, Nicolas Jackson could be in trouble, and the referee has been sent to the monitor. Until yesterday, that normally means the decision will be overturned. Well, we do have a booking now, but not for Moises Caicedo. .. It's his team-mate Nicolas Jackson, and I think he is lucky to get away with just a yellow. He is not even looking at the ball as he jumps into Sven Botman, that's a malicious challenge. He could be in trouble here, he leans in with his elbow. How has Moises Caicedo not been booked yet? I have already lost count of how many times he has taken out Anthony Gordon; it's a fair few. This time, he bundles the winger over from behind by the halfway line, and the Newcastle man is incensed. He fairly asks the referee why Caicedo is evading bookings. .. and he has a point. Harvey Barnes should get the nickname Happy Feet. How he just danced through the Chelsea defence reminded me of the quick feet of that penguin in the film. I'm really not sure how he keeps the ball like he does and he drives through crowd in the box, but it's stuck to him like glue before the lets fly. The resulting shot isn't quite as good, mind. The ironic cheers are out in full force. If you read my blogs a lot, you will know that I love a good ironic cheer from an opposing set of fans. Moises Caicedo has just been on the receiving end of them as he squirts a terrible long-range drive well wide. Not his finest effort, I have to say. Romeo Lavia looks like a deer stuck in the headlights right now. I have been one of his biggest fans this season. I think he is excellent, but the Newcastle press is causing him all sorts of problems. The youngster will be hoping this game calms down, and he can start playing his stuff a bit more. But for now, he has to put up with being hunted down by packs. Ohhh, Alexander Isak has to do better. He can see his name in lights as the ball drops to him in the box, and you are thinking, 'here we go. ' But the striker rushes his chance, which is unlike him, and his volley bounces into the ground before flying well over the bar. A let-off for Chelsea. That's better from Chelsea. For the first time since the first minute, the Blues actually foray into the Newcastle half. Nicolas Jackson is away on the counter, but his touch is quite poor and allows the Magpies' defence to get back into position. He tries to take them on down the left, but his cross at the end is pretty pants and evades everyone. Sums up the visitors' start to this game, really. Newcastle's right-hand side are rinsing Marc Cucurella. Everything seems to be going through either Harvey Barnes or Jacob Murphy, they are doubling up on the right. It feels like there is only a matter of time until Newcastle double their lead here, they are that dominant. Chelsea need to somehow ride this out. That would have been some goal! Newcastle are absolutely cooking Chelsea right now, this is relentless, and Bruno Guimaraes comes close to a spectacular second. The midfielder brings the ball down with his chest and then attempts an acrobatic volley just inside the box. The technique is beautiful, but it dips just wide. Why didn't he shoot there? Tino Livarmento does well to get into a great spot on the left-hand side of the box, and he gets the opportunity to pull the trigger. But rather than go for goal, he decides to try and run through a sea of bodies, for some reason. Strange move. Chelsea are all over the place at the back, jeez. As soon as Newcastle get the ball, the whole defence starts to backpedal in a panic as St James' Park roars. The Magpies look like they could score every time they go forward. Harvey Barnes has certainly shaken off the knock as he charges toward the area and lets fly, but Levi Colwill just about does enough to get in the way of the shot. The Newcastle fans breathe a sigh of relief. For a brief moment, the celebrating stopped as they noticed Harvey Barnes was down with a knock. But after the magic sponge treatment, Branes gets back onto his feet and is OK to play. I bet Eddie Howe is relieved, too. St James' Park is bouncing. I didn't think it could get much louder than it was before kick-off, but my eardrums now say otherwise. The decibel level of that roar was ridiculous, and the chanting hasn't skipped a beat in the minutes since. The perfect start for the Magpies, a terrible one for Chelsea. WHAT A START! ! It's absolute bedlam at St James' Park, and it's one hell of a goal from Sandro Tonali. Jacob Muprhy whips in a perfect ball to the back post from the edge of the area, and the Italian ghosts in to get on the end of it. He still has a lot to do, but Tonali brilliantly hammers the ball into the ground and it bounces over Robert Sanchez. First blood to the Magpies. I feel for Robert Sanchez right now. He is at the end where there is no shade, he is going to have the sun in his eyes all half. Not to be too mean, but he's not exactly the greatest goalie at the best of times, let alone with sun in his eyes. Can he deal with it? My word, it really is a gorgeous day on Tyneside. Some of the players are even squinting as they take to their positions, that's how sunny it is. If only you could wear sunglasses out there, eh? Anyway, they will have to just get on with it, what is a massive game is now underway. 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. What an idiot, hopefully that's his last ever game. ..

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