Good afternoon and welcome to another Premier League Saturday. We get to feel a bit like a professional footballer today, having to rapidly shift from international matters to the domestic. Not that Andre Villas-Boas will have been able to take his mind off the Premier League over the past few days. Because he badly needs to keep winning in it. As has happened repeatedly over the past few weeks, last Saturday’s good result against Wolves was immediately followed by a bad one, as Chelsea got knocked out of the Carling Cup by Liverpool. Worse, St James’ isn’t actually the ideal place to visit at the moment with Newcastle’s recent run of form. They’ll justifiably have renewed confidence in their backline after last week’s fine (if also fortuitous) draw at Old Trafford.

The teams:

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Guthrie, Cabaye, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Ba

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.

A minute’s silence – which has turned into applause – for Gary Speed. This obviously going to be particularly poignant for Newcastle United.

Newcastle fans break into chant.

And we’re off, with the Newcastle fans still chanting about Gary Speed

Throughout the minute’s applause, a John Carver in floods of tears had to be comforted by official Mark Halsey. Very touching.

Early drama and a huge let-off for Chelsea! Demba Ba is released for a one-on-one only for David Luiz to bundle him to the turf on the edge of the box. That was a red card offence but Luiz has got off with a yellow.

Ryan Taylor hits the free into the wall.

And Luiz looks to make up for that with surging run through the entire Newcastle half until he’s challenged just in front of the box.

PENALTY to Chelsea

Oh, there’ll be controversy about this. Having not been given a penalty in the opening few minutes, Newcastle now concede one to Chelsea. probably the right decision though as Cabaye brings down Sturridge on the break.

PENALTY SAVED!!

… but Krul pulls off a fine save! Lampard hits it low to the right but the keeper – who’s been in fine form – tips it onto the post. In truth, despite Krul doing well to guess right, it was a poor penalty.

How many penalties does Frank Lampard have to miss before the duty is taken off him? He misses an obscene amount.

Again, Sturridge breaks free down the right (an increasing worry for Newcastle) but – again – Krul saves them.

Great save Petr Cech! Would have been a superb goal Demba Ba who flicked his right foot out at an awkward position to divert the ball powerfully goalward but the Czech touches it away.

Bad news for Newcastle: Coloccini coming off injured for James Perch. Could have a big effect on their defence.

Ba hits the post with a header! He’s been a constant menace for Chelsea today and look there’s a goal in him.

GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea

A superb goal and one that, to a degree, is fully deserved and has been coming. Mata picks the ball up from a throw and crosses superbly for Drogba to excellently power home a header.

A hugely entertaining first half comes to a head with Chelsea deservedly in the lead despite a fair amount of controversy.

About a mile from Newcastle, Sunderland have confirmed Martin O’Neill as manager.

Back under way with Newcastle tearing into Chelsea straight off…but not creating chances.

What a spell of football there! At one end, Drogba hits his own bar from a corner only for Chelsea to break brilliantly. Looked like they were going to punish them only for Krul to pull off another fine save from a Ramires one-on-one.

At present Chelsea inviting Newcastle on. A dangerous game given Ba’s form and their own recent defending.

Meireles comes on for a forlorn Lampard.

Off the line! Shola Ameobi volleys at goal but there is Terry to clear. That’s the kind of bravery we know and love. Cough.

Surprising move for Chelsea but Tuesday is undoubtedly a concern: Kalou on for Mata.

Shola Ameobi rattles the crossbar from 25 yards with a half-volley! He’s had some impact since he came on.

Krul has had yet another fine game for Newcastle, this time blocking a one-onone from Sturridge with his feet.

End to end stuff at the moment. Newcastle certainly have belief. But Chelsea always have that option on the break.

Newcastle acquitting themselves superbly in another game against the current “big three” (though Chelsea’s place debatable) … will probably only end up with a point from three games though.

GOAL! Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea

Very harsh on Newcastle but always on the cards. After another home attack, Torres breaks only to have his shot blocked. He then feeds Kalou who finishes.

GOAL! Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea

And Sturridge wraps things up with a fine finish into the bottom corner to cap a superb individual performance.

FULL-TIME: Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea

For the third game against one of the biggest three in a row, Newcastle perform superbly and give themselves real hope for the season… but, like against Manchester City, end up defeated. For that, they can justifiably wonder whether David Luiz should have been sent off after just four minutes and a draw was arguably a fair result… but Chelsea did show a champion’s ruthlessness that hasn’t been seen recently.