Key occasions
Adam Sandler is at Stamford Bridge tonight, up within the posh seats. The very best paid actor in Hollywood, apparently.
That is value a learn, though it’s pretty miserly behaviour.
“G’Day Michael,” emails Chris Paraskevas from Australia. “I’ve simply seen footage of the participant and employees entrance at Stamford Bridge: the neon lights, offensively auto-tuned “RnB” music, the hordes of adoring youngsters and that one man within the line who is simply too younger to be allowed in (Lewis Miley)… all of it takes me again to my clubbing “prime” in my early-to-mid 20s. Thoughts you: an evening out “clubbing” normally meant looking for a handy excuse to depart early and watch Newcastle embarrass themselves at 2am. I missed out on assembly so many potential girlfriends and would in all probability be (un)fortunately married by now, however I noticed that Cisse double stay and that’s what issues in life”.
Sport is such a great bookmark to our lives. A sporting reminiscence, enjoying or watching one thing, can spark lot of different little hidden gems locked away in our heads. I’m happy these neon lights did one thing for you, Chris.
Have a learn of right now’s Soccer Each day, in case you like.
Let’s unpack these groups somewhat.
For Chelsea:
Chalobah most popular to Thiago Silva at centre again. I’m unsure I’d fancy the Brazilian towards Isak, both. Cucurella is available in for his first begin since December. He hasn’t began in a league win since October. Sterling will get the nod over Mudryk, Madueke, and Chukwuemeka. Chelsea appear to be they’re lining up in a 4-2-3-1.
For Newcastle:
Willock begins forward of Miley however in any other case that’s a reasonably robust, settled crew. Sure, there are many accidents – Joelinton, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and captain Kieran Trippier are all sidelined, and Lewis Corridor unavailable towards his mum or dad membership – however there are some superb again ups, together with Tino Livramento, who solely left Chelsea in 2021. He’s an excellent participant. What’s attention-grabbing is the dearth of a menace on the bench, not one attacking participant. Jacob Murphy can run round a bit on the wing, however there’s no person apparent that may change the sport.
The groups!
Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling, Jackson.
Subs: Sanchez, Thiago Silva, Mudryk, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Casadei, Deivid Washington, Gilchrist, Acheampong.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock, Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Lascelles, Ritchie, Targett, Krafth, Karius, Jacob Murphy, Anderson, White, Miley.
Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Newcastle arrived at Stamford Bridge on the night of two Might 2012 having not received a league match there since 1986. They left with a well-known three factors, made all of the sweeter by the character of the profitable objectives. I’m unsure I’ve seen a greater double strike by a single participant than the 2 objectives Papise Cissé scored that night time.
The second objective is arguably one of many best ever scored within the Premier League. Cissé means it, completely little question. This isn’t a fortunate pop, however somewhat a calculated, audacious wonderstrike that nearly defies logic to beat Prime Petr Cech. And the standard of the second strike somewhat overshadows the primary, which is an excellent objective in its personal proper: instinctive and highly effective.
It was a classic Newcastle crew, filled with each expertise and cult heroes. Hatem Ben Arfa, Jonás Manuel Gutiérrez, Fabricio Coloccini, Demba Ba, Shola Ameobi – led by none aside from Alan ‘Hips’ Pardew – comfortably beat a Chelsea facet that will, simply over two weeks later, go on to win the Champions League. Newcastle haven’t received at Stamford Bridge since. Their Premier League file on the Bridge seems like: performed 28, misplaced 20, drew seven and received one.
Let’s see if Newcastle can enhance that determined file tonight. They received’t have a significantly better alternative, towards this somewhat dispirited and depleted Chelsea facet.
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
