Ritchie curls his cross into the box, and although Fernandez wins the first header, Luiz is on hand to clear the second ball.
90' +4
Ritchie wins a corner for the home side and the Newcastle fans erupt to give their side one final chance to notch a point.
90' +3
OVER! Perez latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Chelsea box. From 25 yards he pulls the trigger on a volley, which he sends over the bar. He may have been better suited playing the ball out wide.
90' +2
Chelsea try to kill the clock by winning a corner down the left flank. There's still ample time for Newcastle to salvage another equaliser.
90'
There will be five minutes of added time.
89'
Azpilicueta brings down Perez on the charge, handing Newcastle a free-kick in a decent position.
Ritchie sends the free-kick into the box, but he overhits his cross, allowing Alonso to guide the ball out for a goal-kick.
87'
D. Yedlin is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOALLLLLLLL!!!! NIGHTMARE FOR YEDLIN!!!! CHELSEA 2-1!!!! The Blues regain their lead as Yedlin turns the ball into his own net. Newcastle failed to clear their lines from Willian's free-kick. Giroud knocked the ball back to Alonso, who fired at goal on his right foot. It was travelling wide of the target, but Yedlin stuck out a boot to divert it into the bottom corner. To be fair to the American, Barkley was behind him at the back post ready to pounce. Chelsea have the lead with three minutes to play.
85'
Yedlin brings down Hazard on the left flank and Chelsea can threaten from the set-piece.
83'
Joselu has scored a goal for Newcastle United! Assist by D. Yedlin.
Yedlin supplies a fine cross for Joselu to head into the back of the net.
GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!! JOSELU LEVELS FOR NEWCASTLE!!!! 1-1!!! The Spaniard powers a header into the net from close range, although Chelsea will not be happy with this goal. Giroud was caught by an elbow from Yedlin before the American supplied a pinpoint cross to the near post. Joselu got ahead of Luiz to guide his effort beyond Kepa, who got a hand to the ball, but couldn't keep it out. The Magpies are back on level terms.
Minute
Description
81'
Willian is played into acres of space down the right flank and has Hazard in the middle. However, the Brazilian's cross lacks pace and Yedlin makes the crucial interception.
79'
Y. Muto enters the game and replaces F. Schär.
R. Barkley enters the game and replaces M. Kovačić.
Muto comes on for Newcastle to replace Schar.
Kovacic makes way for Barkley.
78'
Newcastle will be smarting about that decision. They've got to come out of their defensive shape now to get something out of this game.
76'
Penalty goal scored by E. Hazard for Chelsea!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!! HAZARD CONVERTS!! 1-0 CHELSEA!!! Hazard makes no mistake from the spot, despite a worthy dive from Dubravka. The Newcastle keeper almost gets his hand to the ball, but the power of the strike from the Chelsea forward finds the back of the net. A sickening blow for the home side, who will not be happy about the decision to award the spot-kick.
75'
PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Hazard feeds the run of Alonso in the box and the Spaniard is brought down by Schar. The Newcastle defender gets the ball, but the referee still points to the spot. A harsh one on the Magpies.
74'
Alonso collects on the left and angles a cross deep to the back post, forcing Dummett to head behind under pressure.
73'
Ayoze Pérez enters the game and replaces J. Murphy.
Murphy is withdrawn for Perez for the home side.
72'
OFF THE BAR! Rudiger almost breaks the deadlock with a stunner from distance. The German brings the ball forward unchallenged and goes for the drive from 25 yards. He catches his strike sweetly off his laces and it powers towards the top corner. Dubravka is beaten, only to be saved by the bar as the ball clatters into the woodwork and bounces to safety.
71'
Willian takes the free-kick an curls his effort into the box, but the Magpies hold firm to clear the danger.
70'
M. Ritchie gets yellow.
Ritchie chops down Hazard and goes into the book. The cautions are piling up for the home side.
69'
Willian enters the game and replaces Pedro.
Willian comes on for Pedro down the flank for the visitors.
68'
F. Fernández gets yellow.
Fernandez brings down Kovacic on the charge and goes into the book.
67'
Hazard turns with menace towards the Newcastle goal and he tries to make the offload to Giroud, but Clark gets enough to divert it away from the Frenchman.
65'
F. Schär gets yellow.
O. Giroud enters the game and replaces Álvaro Morata.
Morata has struggled this afternoon and now makes way for Giroud.
Schar brings down Hazard and goes into the book.
64'
Chelsea have the overlap down the right as Azpilicueta raids forward. He sends a cross to the near post, but it just evades the boot of Morata. It wouldn't have counted anyway as the forward strayed into an offside position.
62'
Joselu enters the game and replaces S. Rondón.
Newcastle make the first change of the afternoon as Rondon makes way for Joselu.
60'
The Blues are encamped in the Newcastle half, but there's still no way through. Clark, Fernandez and Schar have been excellent at the back thus far for the home side.
58'
Chelsea continue to struggle for the killer pass to open up the Newcastle defence. The Magpies are holding firm at the back.
56'
Chelsea work their way around the Newcastle defensive line down the right. Azpilicueta forces the ball into the path of Morata in the middle, but the forward takes a poor first touch, spurning the opening.
54'
Hazard's cross into the box is disappointing, smashing the ball low into the first Newcastle defender, who clears it away.
53'
Yedlin brings down Morata on the flank and it hands Chelsea an opportunity to swing a cross into the box.
52'
Jorginho tries to slide a pass through the Newcastle defensive line, but is a fraction off with his offload and Fernandez makes the interception.
50'
SAVE! Chelsea lift the tempo as Hazard feeds Pedro, who in turn cuts the ball back for Azpilicueta to shoot. The Spaniard drills his effort towards the bottom corner, only to see his shot saved by Dubravka.
49'
Hazard tries to slide a pass into the left inside channel for Morata, but the Belgian's offload lacks accuracy.
48'
Chelsea are on the front foot to begin the second half. Hazard and Jorginho are attempting to dicate terms in the final third.
46'
We're back underway at St James' Park.
45' +1
Hazard makes a surge into the Newcastle box, but there are several black and white shirts there to stop him shooting. He has to go back towards Jorginho before the attack peters out.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 0-0 CHELSEA
45'
BLOCK! A poor clearance from Dummett puts Newcastle in trouble. Azpilicueta latches on to the loose ball and strikes on the half-volley. His effort is blocked by his own team-mate Morata in the six-yard box, saving the home side.
There will be one minute of added time.
43'
Clark clears Hazard's first cross behind for a corner. From the second set-piece, Rudiger connects on the half-volley, only to send his effort wide of the target. Chelsea have not been at their best in front of goal thus far.
42'
The Magpies cannot make the most of their opportunities from their set-pieces, allowing Chelsea to break dangerously on the counter.
Murphy fouls Alonso on the flank, turning the tables on the home side. Hazard will send a delivery into the box from the resulting free-kick.
41'
Newcastle apply pressure from back-to-back set-pieces, forcing Alonso then Kante to clear behind.
40'
M. Kovačić gets yellow.
Kovacic brings down Yedlin on the charge and goes into the book.
39'
Hazard slides a pass through for Azpilicueta down the right flank. The ball skips off the surface away from the Chelsea skipper, resulting in a goal-kick for the Magpies.
38'
Rudiger floats a hopeful ball forward, although it's far too easy for Fernandez to head clear away from Morata down the middle.
36'
SAVE! Hazard uses his quick feet to surge into the box in the left inside channel. He carves out an opening for Pedro to shoot first time on his left foot. The Spaniard cannot generate the power he would like on his effort, allowing Dubravka to get down to make the stop.
35'
CHANCE! Ki makes a huge mistake at the back to miss his interception. Pedro advances in the right inside channel before cutting back to shoot on his left foot. His usual accuracy evades him, placing his effort wide of the post.
34'
WIDE! Ritchie's first delivery is cleared by Azpilicueta, but Newcastle recycle possession and Fernandez scoops a cross to the near post. Rondon gets there ahead of his man, only to power his past the post.
32'
Newcastle win a free-kick down the right as Alonso trips Yedlin on the charge. The Magpies have to make the most of these opportunities.
30'
WIDE! Hazard drops into space between the Newcastle midfield and defence. He uses his skill to raid to the edge of the box, although the Belgian can only fire wide of the post with his left foot.
29'
Hazard chooses to float his cross into the box on this occasion. Rudiger wins the header, although he guides it straight into the hands of Dubravka.
28'
WIDE! Chelsea break on the counter after a rare foray forward from the Magpies. Hazard and Morata combine, which sees the Spaniard go for goal from the edge of the box. His strike deflects off Fernandez before travelling wide of the post.
26'
Newcastle are continuing to make life difficult for Chelsea in the final third. There's no space for the Blues to exploit in and around the home side's penalty area.
24'
WIDE! Kovacic feeds Hazard on the edge of the box and the Belgian goes for the early strike to catch out Dubravka. He gets a decent connection on his effort, only to see his strike drift wide of the post.
23'
Chelsea work their way around a high press from the home side. Hazard collects through the middle, but immediately gets stopped in his tracks by a covering challenge from Ritchie.
21'
Hazard is back on his feet, although it's something to monitor as Willian is sent to warm up on the touchline.
20'
Hazard is down again for Chelsea on the left flank. He appears to be clutching his right leg - a different problem from earlier in the game.
19'
The Blues are stroking the ball around the Newcastle half, probing for weaknesses in the home side's defensive shell. However, the Magpies are holding up extremely well at the back thus far.
17'
WIDE! Chelsea win a corner and Hazard tries to use the wet conditions to use the Blues' advantage firing the ball in low. It bounces around the box before Rudiger has a swing at a strike, only to slice his effort wide of the target.
16'
Newcastle are being given a tough examination at the back. This time Clark has to be well positioned to head clear Pedro's cross at the near post.
15'
Hazard plays a one-two with Pedro to break into the right inside channel, but Dummett recovers to block his low cross into the middle.
14'
Chelsea are dominating possession in the early stages of the contest, but the Magpies' defensive line is holding firm on the edge of the box.
12'
Azpilicueta has space down the right and he curls a low cross towards the back post. Morata makes a late run, but the ball travels straight through into the arms of Dubravka.
10'
Chelsea move the ball around the Newcastle half before Jorginho feeds Hazard, who tries to release Morata into the left inside channel. However, Ritchie is back to make the block to stop the throughball reaching the forward.
8'
Jorginho attempts to float a ball over the top for Pedro's run, but Schar goes down under pressure from the Spaniard, resulting in a free-kick for the Magpies in the box.
7'
Murphy drops into space on the left flank to collect, but on this occasion he sends a poor cross into the box that the Blues are able to clear with ease.
6'
SAVE! Ritchie offloads the ball to Murphy on the edge of the box and he goes for the strike at goal, but Kepa gets down to make the save. A bright start from Murphy for the home side.
4'
Murphy latches on to a ball over the top of the Chelsea defence, with the Blues asleep at the back. The winger sends a cross into the box, but Kepa is alert to come off his line to make the claim.
3'
Kovacic and Alonso attempt to build down the left flank, but Yedlin makes the tackle to break up the Chelsea attack.
1'
We're underway at St James' Park.
A concern for Chelsea in the opening minute of the game as Hazard takes a kick on the ankle from Ritchie. He wins the free-kick, but the Belgian is not moving comfortably.
Chelsea have not travelled well to St James' Park in the past. They lost their last visit 3-0 as a strike from Dwight Gayle and a brace from Ayoze Perez handed the Magpies the victory in their clash in May. The Blues have failed to win in their last five visits to Tyneside, with their last win coming in December 2011 when Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge were on the scoresheet.
Chelsea will be desperate to captailise to continue their fine start to the season. Maurizio Sarri's men have won both of their Premier League matches to start the term, seeing off Huddersfield with ease on the opening day. The Blues were forced to fight for the three points against Arsenal after allowing a two-goal lead to slip before Marcos Alonso scored a late winner at Stamford Bridge.
The feeling of malaise at Newcastle that began in the summer over the lack of transfer activity has carried over into the start of the season. They put forward a battling performance in their opener against Tottenham, only to suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mauricio Pochettino's men. The Magpies had the chance to snatch all three points against Cardiff last week when they were awarded a late penalty. However, Kenedy missed from the spot, epitomising the general mood at the club at the moment.
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park.
Let's take a look at the two teams this afternoon, starting with Newcastle.
Newcastle subs: Yoshinori Muto, Ayoze Perez, Joselu, Jamie Sterry, Karl Darlow, Christian Atsu, Sean Longstaff.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso; N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Pedro, Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard.
Chelsea subs: Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Willy Caballero, Olivier Giroud, Davide Zappacosta, Willian, Andreas Christensen.
Newcastle are without Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey this afternoon due to ankle and thigh injuries respectively, although there is a report that suggets that the Magpies skipper has been dropped due to a disagreement with Rafa Benitez. The duo are two of six changes the Spaniard has made from their goalless draw against Cardiff. Yedlin, Rondon and Murphy come into the side, while Schar, Ki and Fernandez makes their debuts for the club. Isaac Hayden misses out due to suspension and Kenedy is unable to play against his parent club.
Chelsea have made two changes from their win over Arsenal last time out. Kovacic comes into the side for his first start for the Blues, replacing Barkley in the middle of the park. Hazard returns in the front three to make his first start of the term, which sees Willian drop to the bench.
The players are out on the pitch, so we should be underway shortly.
NEWCASTLE (3-4-2-1): Martin Dubravka; Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark; DeAndre Yedlin, Ki Sung-Yueng, Mohamed Diame, Paul Dummett; Matt Ritchie, Jacob Murphy; Salomon Rondon.
It's goalless at the break at St James' Park. Chelsea have had all the play in the opening 45 minutes, although they've struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities in the final third. Pedro had the Blues' best opening of the half, only to curl his left-footed strike wide of the post. At the other end, Salomon Rondon placed a header wide of the target. Neither have displayed a clinical edge in the final third and both managers will want to see an improvement.
Chelsea have enjoyed almost 80% possession in the opening 45 minutes. Eden Hazard has been extremely influential, but Newcastle have managed to stop the clear chance at goal from the Blues. Maurizio Sarri will be asking for more from his team to be more decisive in their play in and around the box.
Chelsea maintain their 100% record to start the season, earning their third win on the bounce in the Premier League. It was not a classic performance from the Blues, but they managed to grind out the three points. Chelsea took the lead in fortuitous circumstances when they were awarded a penalty after Fabian Schar brought down Marcos Alonso, despite the Newcastle defender winning the ball. Eden Hazard converted from 12 yards, but the visitors failed to hold on to their advantage. DeAndre Yedlin fired a cross to the near post that was headed home by Joselu, although the goal was not without controversy as Olivier Giroud was caught with an elbow in the build-up. However, the Blues snatched the victory when Alonso's drive was turned into his own net by Yedlin three minutes from time.
Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Until next time, goodbye.
Commentary
More…