JUMP TO:
ST JAMES’ PARK — Newcastle United host Chelsea in an intriguing early Premier League clash where both managers are under the spotlight.
Newcastle claimed a restorative midweek win over Fulham to progress to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup, a competition they memorably won last year.
However, Eddie Howe’s side were utterly abject during last Sunday’s defeat at Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby and their fans will want to see an emphatic response today.
Chelsea are also into the final four of the League Cup after a win at Cardiff City, but head coach Enzo Maresca remains under the microscope after taking a thinly veiled swipe at the Stamford Bridge hierarchy in the aftermath of last weekend’s victory over Everton.
The Blues head into this weekend fourth in the Premier League table, eight points shy of leaders Arsenal. Even though Newcastle are only six points behind their opponents, Howe’s men are languishing in 12th.
The Sporting News is following the Newcastle vs. Chelsea match live, providing score updates and commentary
Newcastle vs. Chelsea score
| Pregame | Goal scorers | |
| Newcastle | — | |
| Chelsea | — |
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Referee: Andy Madley
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN’s live Premier League scoreboard
Starting lineups:
Newcastle (4-3-3, right to left): 32. Aaron Ramsdale (GK) — 67. Lewis Miley, 5. Fabian Schar, 12. Malick Thiaw, 3. Lewis Hall — 8. Sandro Tonali, 39. Bruno Guimaraes, 41. Jacob Ramsey — 23. Jacob Murphy, 27. Nick Woltemade, 10. Anthony Gordon
Chelsea (4-2-3-1 right to left): 1. Robert Sanchez (GK) — 27. Malo Gusto, 29. Wesley Fofana, 23. Trevoh Chalobah, 3. Marc Cucurella – 25. Moises Caicedo, 24. Reece James — 7. Pedro Neto, 10. Cole Palmer, 49. Alejandro Garnacho — 20. Joao Pedro
MORE: What’s going on with Enzo Maresca and Chelsea?
Newcastle vs. Chelsea live updates, highlights, and commentary
15 mins: Enzo Maresca has trudged off after watching his squad go through their warmups and will be hoping for a third win in eight days to put Chelsea’s recent wobble to bed. It would also be helpful given the manner in which he invited speculation over his own future last week before being linked to succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. We took a look at what’s been going on with the Stamford Bridge boss over recent days.
25 mins: Gah, they’ve stuck Muse on now. We can do better than that.
35 mins before kickoff: The teams out and going through their warm-ups. It’s a pretty crisp winter’s day up here. Christmas songs blaring for Newcastle’s final home match before the festivities. Lovely stuff.
1 hr 5 mins before kickoff: Malo Gusto starts at right-back for Chelsea, with captain Reece James in midfield and Enzo Fernandez among the substitutes. It’s otherwise as you’d expect for the visitors.
1 hr 15 mins before kickoff: The teams are in. Lewis Hall has made it for Newcastle, Lewis Miley will continue to fill in at right-back and there are starts for Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.
UNITED ✊ pic.twitter.com/dYdIlEqwhD
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 20, 2025
1 hr 30 mins before kickoff: Newcastle kept their Carabao Cup defence on track against Fulham in midweek but you sense they need a performance today in front of an expectant full house. This fixture has been kind to them recently, with Newcastle winning the most recent three on home turf.
2 hours before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Newcastle United vs. Chelsea from St James’ Park.
Newcastle vs. Chelsea kick off time
The Premier League match kicks off in Newcastle, UK at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sat, Dec 20 | 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT |
| Canada | Sat, Dec 20 | 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Dec 20 | 12:30 p.m. GST |
| Australia | Sat, Dec 20 | 11:30 p.m. AEDT |
| India | Sat, Dec 20 | 6:00 p.m. IST |
Newcastle vs. Chelsea lineups, team news
Newcastle are dealing with plenty of injury issues at the back. Sven Botman is sidelined alongside Kieran Trippier, and now Lewis Hall has picked up a hamstring complaint.
Tino Livramento also had to come off against Fulham, leaving Howe with plenty of pondering to do over the fullback positions. Hall has not been completely ruled out and midfielder Lewis Miley might nince again be forced into right-back duty.
Bruno Guimaraes is one yellow card away from missing the Boxing Day trip to Old Trafford.
Nick Woltemade is expected to come back in up front despite his nightmare experience in the Tyne-Wear derby and Yoane Wissa finding the net in midweek
Newcastle confirmed starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ramsdale (GK) — Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall — Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton — Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Newcastle subs: Ruddy (GK), Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, A.Murphy, Willock, Shahar, Neave
Moises Caicedo returned from suspension in midweek and is the only survivor from the Cardiff XI as Maresca makes 10 changes.
The Chelsea boss has confirmed that young Brazil attacker Estevao will be sidelined for at least this game due to a minor muscular problem.
Captain Reece James starts in central midfield, with Malo Gusto at right-back and Enzo Fernandez on the bench.
Chelsea confirmed starting XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella – Caicedo, James — Neto, Palmer, Garnacho — Joao Pedro
Chelsea subs: Jorgensen (GK), Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Buonanotte, Fernandez, Guiu
Newcastle vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | NBC Sports App/website, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo NOW |
| Canada | — | Fubo, DAZN |
| UK | TNT Sport 1 | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | JioHotstar |