Source: SKY_Sports
Newcastle v Chelsea live!
90 + 2 ALL OVER: Chelsea clear any doubts inside Alan Shearer's head regarding the size of his mission to rescue Newcastle United from the peril of Premier League relegation with a 2-0 victory at St James' Park.[LNB]90 + 1 Great save from Harper. A long ball allows Kalou to break through and the Newcastle goalkeeper saves well with his feet.[LNB]90 ADDED TIME: There will be at least two minutes added time. Kalou goes to ground in a challenge with Coloccini inside the 18-yard area. That should have been a penalty.[LNB]86 An excellent Di Santo effort is deflected for a corner. Harper claims the kick as St James' Park begins to empty.[LNB]85 Cheslea are running down the clock. The game is as good as over. Cole robs Guthrie and a Ballack effort is saved by Harper. This has been a reality check for Newcastle.[LNB]83 The party is over for Newcastle. The crowd are very quiet and disheartened.[LNB]80 Newcastle hope to save the day as the Gateshead-born Andrew Carroll replaces Martins.[LNB]78 Mikel is down and looks to be in agony, but is quickly to his feet. Newcastle are ready for their third and final change.[LNB]75 Newcastle, who will now feel the luck is against them, are throwing all they have got at Chelsea, but it does not look like it will be enough.[LNB]72 Owen and the Gallowgate End think Newcastle have scored as the striker dinks towards goal from a tight angle. But referee Styles waves away the claims. Owen's effort deflected off Terry and replays show that Cole cleared when the ball was behind the line.[LNB]70 Newcastle have still failed to carve a genuine goalscoring chance. Owen and Martins have been very well marshalled by Alex and Terry.[LNB]69 Newcastle respond and Danny Guthrie replaces Kevin Nolan. Guthrie is making his first appearance since mid-January following a hamstring injury.[LNB]67 Lampard, who is having an excellent second half, blasts from 25 yards and Harper is forced to save. Anelka makes way for Franco Di Santo.[LNB]65 GOAL MALOUDA (0-2)!!! Lampard threads a pass through a porous Newcastle backline and, with Coloccini dropping deep, Malouda is on side to simply roll past Harper from close range. Could be curtains for Shearer and the Magpies.[LNB]63 Duff crosses well and Gutierrez meets the ball with his head, but his effort lacked conviction and deflected off Cole for Cech to save with ease.[LNB]61 Having been gifted the goal by Coloccini's error, Chelsea are revelling with their passing and it is ominous signs for Newcastle, who have still failed to truly threaten Cech.[LNB]60 Beye has a pop from long range, but his effort does not threaten the goal.[LNB]58 Chelsea are now dominating and deserve their lead as they look for what would prove a killer second goal.[LNB]56 GOAL LAMPARD (0-1)!!! Fabricio Coloccini is casual in possession and is robbed by Anelka. The Frenchman eventually receives the ball and his deflected effort deflects off the bar to leave Lampard with a sample header from close range with Harper grounded having challenged Anelka. A terrible goal from Newcastle's perspective. Chelsea bring on Lampard for Essien.[LNB]56 Newcastle immediately respond with an attack of their own, but Martins hits over the top.[LNB]55 The game is really opening up now and Anelka - the Premier League's leading scorer - wastes a glorious chance as he heads tamely straight at Harper when in acres.[LNB]54 Cole crosses into the Newcastle box, but the England full-back shanks his kick and Harper gathers.[LNB]52 Malouda breaks the Newcastle offside trap, but the Frenchman fires straight at Harper at the near post.[LNB]50 Ryan Taylor is forced to head behind for a Chelsea corner. The ball falls to Essien on the edge of the box, but he blasts over the crossbar.[LNB]50 The game has resumed a similar pattern with Chelsea having the better of possession. However, Butt is still looking in fine form.[LNB]49 The word about Lovenkrands, who left on a stretcher at the interval, is that an ambulance has been called for the winger.[LNB]49 WE'RE BACK!!! The second half is under way as Newcastle, now shooting towards the Gallowgate, take kick-off. There have been no changes.[LNB] The betting odds have changed as we prepare for the second half and Shearer shakes hands with Hiddink. Newcastle are still 9/2, but a draw is 7/5 and Chelsea are 10/11.[LNB] Danny Avezzi are Kevin James pleased with Newcastle's first-half display, but Jade Rickett is cheering on Chelsea.[LNB]45 + 4 HALF-TIME: A predictably raucous St James' Park has been silenced by the passing of Chelsea, who have done their job well. Chances have been at a premium, with neither goalkeeper seriously troubled. Shearer, though, will be happy to keep things tight and would probably take the result as it stands. Let me have your thoughts at peter.fraser@bskyb.com[LNB]45 + 3 Mikel is correctly cautioned after hacking down Gutierrez. Cech claims Duff's free-kick.[LNB]45 + 2 Newcastle win a free-kick as Gutierrez, who has swapped to the right after Duff's introduction, is felled. Ryan Taylor's delivery is low and terrible and Chelsea clear.[LNB]45 ADDED TIME: There will be at least four minutes added time.[LNB]44 Former Chelsea player Damien Duff comes on for Lovenkrands, which adds to Newcastle's injury problems.[LNB]43 Lovenkrands has been down for some time and looks badly winded. There could be a change here.[LNB]41 After Harper's goalkick, Lovenkrands is down holding his ribs following an accidental elbow from Malouda. Looks a sore one.[LNB]40 Lampard attempts a dinked through-ball to Cole, but Lovenkrands has tracked back and the pass goes out for a goalkick.[LNB]39 Chelsea have not had the rub of the green from the referee. Argentina winger Gutierrez defends well against Kalou.[LNB]38 Lampard goes in the book after a tussle with Butt. The Chelsea star wanted the foul on the halfway line, but is shown yellow for diving.[LNB]36 The tempo has dropped as the interval approaches, and Shearer takes the opportunity to grab a little liquid refreshment on the touchline. Management is obviously thirsty work.[LNB]35 Ten minutes to go to half-time and there is still little in this contest. It cannot be said that Chelsea are bossing the game. There passing is better, but Newcastle have not been overawed.[LNB]33 The Magpies are struggling to create as long balls and crosses will have to be precise to find the vertically challenged Owen and Martins.[LNB]31 Anelka breaks forward, but Habib Beye matches his opponent for pace to defend for a corner. Newcastle clear.[LNB]30 Butt - who had a few choice words for his team-mates in last Sunday's newspapers - is showing all the characteristics required in a relegation battle as he robs Essien.[LNB]29 Lampard is not impressed that Butt is not booked, and receives a ticking off from referee Styles for his chirping.[LNB]28 Lovenkrands slings the ball into the Chelsea box and wins a corner but Guus Hiddink's side clear and break and Butt is very fortunate to escape a booking after scything down Florent Malouda.[LNB]26 Cole is enjoying himself on the left side and crosses low, but the ball is just in front of Anelka and Harper gathers. Chelsea are beginning to turn the screw.[LNB]25 Chelsea are too quick for Newcastle in possession and work their way to the edge of their host's 18-yard area. Ryan Taylor hoofs clear as Essien is about to pull the trigger.[LNB]23 Kalou wants a penalty after finding himself in a Jose Enrique and Lovenkrands sandwich. Referee Styles is not interested, and rightly so.[LNB]22 Chances are beginning to develop at both ends. Butt is impressing, while Martins is starting to wriggle free of his man marker, Alex.[LNB]20 Essien hits the corner into the Gallowgate End. Newcastle break and Obafemi Martins is caught flat footed, as Alex fails to clear, and can only deflect the ball wide of the post.[LNB]19 The first real chance of the game. Cole breaks down the left and his cross is headed at goal by Salomon Kalou, but Steve Harper tips behind for a corner.[LNB]18 Both teams are playing with a very high line, which could suit the pace of Chelsea. Lampard is also finding a lot of space in between defence and midfield.[LNB]17 The Magpies win another corner, but, after a short pass to Owen, Peter Lovenkrands plants his cross out of play. There is a tension this afternoon.[LNB]16 It is intriguing to watch Chelsea's passing and precision up against Newcastle's fire and passion. The visitors have settled admirably in the circumstances and are looking the more dangerous. But there has still to be a clear-cut chance.[LNB]14 This is a fascinating game so far as Newcastle win another corner. But Petr Cech catches the ball.[LNB]12 Lampard's delivery is wretched as he only manages to find the stand behind the Newcastle goal.[LNB]11 Chelsea win a free-kick wide on the left touchline as Gutierrez slams into Cole. That was a definite foul and a chance for the visitors to deliver into the box. Gutierrez is fired up.[LNB]9 John Terry is furious as Jonas Gutierrez piles into a firm, but fair, challenge on the Chelsea skipper on the touchline. That is a sign of what Newcastle are about today.[LNB]8 Shearer is seen blasting out the orders to his midfield. Butt has started well under his former England team-mate.[LNB]7 It has been a good, lively start as Chelsea attempt to release Nicolas Anelka, but Cole's pass is over hit.[LNB]6 Shearer is out to the limits of his technical area as he prowls the dug-out. However, it is assistant Iain Dowie who is doing the shouting.[LNB]5 Chelsea make a pigs ear of clearing the ball, but after a bit of a scramble clear the ball, counter-attack and win their own corner. Branislav Ivanovic hooks the ball wide.[LNB]4 Newcastle are on the attack an win a corner from a poor touch by John Obi Mikel.[LNB]3 The game is going again. Chelsea are taking their time and keeping the ball nicely, clearly attempting to keep the crowd quiet.[LNB]2 Newcastle get their first touch as Nicky Butt tackles Michael Essien. Both players are injured in the challenge and are down on the turf as the ball is put out of play.[LNB]KICK-OFF!!! The game is underway and Chelsea are passing the ball around their defence and midfield.[LNB]Here comes Shearer! If there was a roof on St James' Park it would be drifting over the Tyne somewhere by now.[LNB] The teams are emerging from the tunnel as Alan Shearer-themed tunes come out of the St James' Park personal address system. Still no sign of the man himself.[LNB] "H'WAY THE LADS!" says Kevin James. He hopes Newcastle win 2-1. [LNB] Brace yourself. We are awaiting the first appearance of Shearer as the record goalscorer in the club's history is presented to fans before kick-off.[LNB] Dave in the Sahara Desert in Libya expects a thrilling match with a 2-1 win for Newcastle. However, George Pearson thinks Chelsea will return to London with the points as Frank Lampard gets on the scoresheet.[LNB] If you fancy a flutter, Newcastle are 9/2, the draw is 11/4 and Chelsea are 8/13. Owen to score first and Newcastle to win is at eights. I hope the former Liverpool and Real Madrid player scores as he has been in my Fantasy Football team all season and his injuries have caused me no end of tactical disappointment.[LNB] I read quotes from Paul Gascoigne earlier in the week, with Shearer's former England team-mate hankering after some free tickets, and he appears to have got his wish as we catch a glimpse of the ex-Newcastle player in one of the executive boxes.[LNB] But let's not forget that there are two teams in today's game. Chelsea arrive with eyes on the title. Can the Blues still win the league? Will they rain on the parade today? Let me have your thoughts.[LNB] Shearer brings three key elements which will save Newcastle, in my humble mind. I) undying passion II) hard work III) a first-hand understanding of what makes the club tick. However, will that be enough in the face of a tough fixture list, and eight games is a deceptively long time. What will happen when the honeymoon period is over and a lack of coaching experience is exposed?[LNB] But what have you made of the latest goings on in the North East? Will Geordie legend Shearer have the neccesary impact to save his hometown team from relegation? And what a season in the North East, could anyone have predicted the string of events which have unfolded on Tyneside? The footballing gods which preside over Newcastle could put the writers of Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale out of jobs when it comes to creating soap opera drama! You can get in touch throughout the afternoon at peter.fraser@bskyb.com. I will publish a selection of the best comments.[LNB] In my opinion, Newcastle will - and must - come flying out of the traps today, or Chelsea's undoubtedly superior quality will show. The Magpies will surely not have any problems with motivation in Shearer's presence and a 52,000 sell-out is expected to have Tyneside rocking. Chelsea's defence, robbed of Ricardo Carvalho and Jose Bosingwa due to injury, looks a little suspect. Didier Drogba will be a big loss in attack, also due to fitness problems.[LNB] In my opinion, Newcastle will - and must - come flying out of the traps today, or Chelsea's undoubtedly superior quality will show. The Magpies will surely not have any problems with motivation[LNB]Referee: Rob Styles[LNB]Chelsea team: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Kalou. Subs: Hilario, Carvalho, Di Santo, Ballack, Deco, Belletti, Mancienne.[LNB]Newcastle team: Harper, Ryan Taylor, Beye, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Nolan, Butt, Lovenkrands, Owen, Martins. Subs: Forster, Guthrie, Duff, Smith, Geremi, Edgar, Carroll.[LNB]The team news is in!!! And, in a pitch perfect Cilla Black impression, surprise, surprise Michael Owen, a good friend of Shearer's from their playing days with Newcastle and England, is playing for the home side.[LNB] Welcome to our live commentary of the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Chelsea at St James' Park as Alan Shearer sensationally takes charge for the first game of his eight-match tenure.[LNB]
