As expected Alan Pardew has named an unchanged side from the side that beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Tuesday night.
But with Gabby Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux now both fit – both players are included in what looks like a very strong Newcastle bench for today’s game.
And it’s interesting that Mike Williamson doesn’t even make the bench today, with young midfielder Gael Bigirimana a substitute this afternoon.
For Chelsea, Petr Cech and captain John Terry return to the side – and Demba Ba starts up front for the Blues.
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; James Perch, Yohan Cabaye; Yoan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Gael Bigirimana, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi
Chelsea – Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry (c), Ashley Cole; Ramires, Frank Lampard; Oscar, Juan Mata, Ryan Bertrand; Demba Ba
Substitutes: Ross Turnbull, Paulo Ferreira, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nathan Ake, Yossi Benayoun, Marko Marin, Fernando Torres
Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
644 comments so far
toon1707
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Comment #1Only change I would have had us Marvaux for Jonas not getting at Jonas like some people do I just think Marvaux is a much better attacking player than Jonas
papattack
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Comment #2would of preferred marveaux in there but the bench looks strong.
c’mon toon!!
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Comment #3Marveaux on bench…. Jonas playing the most out of form player in team is playing…
What is he doing…..ruining ou club….
Big Pappa Cissé
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Comment #4Anita doesn’t put a foot wrong and gets benched. Well done Alan
Spreadthetoon
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Comment #5Lets hope team selection for AP works. Its not what I would have gone with but at least we have a bench with the inclusion of Marveaux and Obertan and Anita who can change things if needed.
I am frustrated with APs team selection but here’s hoping for a win at home. We need this as we only have 4 home fixtures left after this. I am goona go for a brave 3-1 prediction!
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Comment #6I am sick of pardew don’t understand why guti and perch are there
Sinner
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #7Honestly, Jonas starting ahead of Marveaux is completely beyond me!Don’t give me the random defensive duties he does!How can he start ahead of Marveaux who has the most assists to his name!And starting a utility player ahead of proper defensive midfielder in Anita shows that Pardew is running the risk of demoralising the team!
MrMojoRisin76
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #8Didn’t Pardew say Marv would have started if he was fit on Tuesday?,if he did that say’s to me he might still be carrying an injury,so he should be on the bench.
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #9marveux has most assist this season for our club is on bench and guti who has 1 assist I think is on the field says all about pardew I want pardew out
wingspan
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #10Those of you moaning about Perchy starting over Anita obviously didnt see the Villa game, he was very good and Anita is too lightweight at times for me.
Same with Taylor over Mbiwa, Tayls was good on tues! Mbiwa looked a bit shocked at the pace when he came on. You dont just throw new signings in against the quality of chelsea!!
Jonas still getting picked however is a mystery, he offers nothing for me.
toon1707
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #112-1 cisse first goal 75/1 worth a few quid I think at bet Fred
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #12I am surprised at ppl who are not seeing the mounting evidence this guy has no clue about modern football… Jonas will bea eaten alive completely out of his league ….
We bought Ligue 1 most rated CBs for him to sit on bench…
its truly amazing….
Alan would bench Messi Iniesta over Jonas and Perch….
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Comment #13give shola pardew s job and kick pardew out that will get rid of all our problems
belgrade fan
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Comment #14spread
stoke, scums, liverpool, soth, arsenal at home. 5 games
jonas again….shit
Joe Blog
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #15Love is blind – I suppose if you’re receiving fellatio regularly off a certain Argentine, you have to return the favour in some way.
It’s the only logical explanation left.
MrMojoRisin76
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #16I would have liked Anita in the team somewhere to combat Ramires going forward with pace but Perch did well Tuesday,people don’t give him the credit he deserves.
Rotonda heights
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #17why is it that every man jack can see perch and guti shouldn’t be starting except the clown in charge?
Anita and Marveaux probably our 2 best players in recent times replaced by a championship player and a guy whose best days are now well behind him. Sad.
Tevez and Mascherarno for Harwewood and Mullins all over again.
wingspan
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #18Its nice to have a strong bench for once too!
toon1707
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #19On sky sports app Ba starts Torres is on the bench
Tommyy
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #20Disappointed, thought we were going to attack Chelsea? Anita for Perch and Marv for Jonas, come on Pardew jeeeez.
Oh well, won’t complain too much just yet, will if we lose by a whisker though.
Alan Pas-de-clue
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Comment #21this is a team keegan would work better with…
Spreadthetoon
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Comment #221414:
BREAKING CHELSEA TEAM NEWS – Newcastle v Chelsea (1500 GMT)
Demba Ba and John Terry start with Fernando Torres on the bench.
Tommyy
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Comment #23Wingspan – with all due respect, Perch played against a weak Villa side and looked decent.
We are playing a side today who will give us more space and Anita is perfect for that.
We will never ever be a top team if we choose to play players such as Perch out of position ahead of a dutch international.
MrMojoRisin76
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Comment #24Cisse is going to destroy them,again.
Hatem's better than Messi
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Comment #25He’s picking sides to keep clean sheets not to win games.
Heaven forbid we play entertaining football.
Lets keep Anita and Marv on the bench.
Madness.
Rotonda heights
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Comment #26Really hope we win and can survive the season, but after that how can we seriously go on with a manager who keeps making such bizarre decisions and who regularly says he’s a winner despite not having actually won anything!
With the talent we’ve got now, an ambitious, attacking and ”footballing” manager could do wonders.
Tommyy
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Comment #27Rotonda, when you say it like that it’s inexcusable. Both Anita and Marv have been our best players recently. It riles me up it really does.
Sinner
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Comment #28Anita and Marveaux who have been our top players this season gets benched for players like f**king Jonas who has been useless and utillity player like Perch, yes I see the logic in that! Pardew you mong!
WTF
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Comment #29if got link for live streaming hope can share in here….please
Mat Thai NUFC
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Comment #30Guys Jonas was always gonna play against chelsea simply because of his workrate which will be vital when tracking the likes of mata! also perch over anita i agree with for the same reasons and mentioned before, anita is a little bit lightweight. I feel next season he will have a bigger impact and this season will have been great experience for him
MrMojoRisin76
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:20 PM
Comment #313-0 Newcastle.Perch,Jonas,Demba Ba(OG)
papattack
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:20 PM
Comment #32wingspan
totally agree perch deserves his spot, hes been doing well recently. his tacklings really improved.
gutierrez though…. pards favourite i suppose. at least he will track back, marv is a bit lazy but i still would prefer him in the team for his creativity and attacking abilities.
Alan Pas-de-clue
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:20 PM
Comment #33rotonda…amen
toon1707
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:20 PM
Comment #34Tommy I agree against villa I said perch to start was fine give Anita a rest but he should be starting now perch as decent as he has become should not be starting ahead of Anita no other manager would even contemplate it let alone do it still got to get behind team and manager and try to get another win today. Wish Ba was on the bench he is bound to score today
wingspan
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Comment #35Demba Starts
Tommyy
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Comment #36I can see why Jonas is playing, but heaven forbid we go out and play our own game at home rather than set up to thwart other teams. It pisses me off. I’m angry. We have a great first 11 ready to play and 2 of them aren’t!
Spreadthetoon
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Comment #37Belgrade
I don’t disagree but whats the point in writing us off or AP before a ball has even been kicked? MA has backed the mgr and while he is not my choice he is our mgr. Lets get behind the team, no point whinging and complaining about things are outside our control. I can only hope for a spirited performance and the inclusion of Marveaux at some point during the match. He may be still struggling to get back from injury. Lets try to keep some positivity, it would be far too painful to consider anything less than a draw or a win today. HWTL!
t00ntime
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Comment #382 things like to happen against us.
1) our former player scores (ba)
2) a player who hasnt scored for ages, breaks his bad run and scores against us (torres)
Hopefully neither happen and we win the game. I like the team selection (other than jonas) but i trust pardew knows what he is doing. If we lose the game cause of jonas i think fans will flip their lid cause he shouldnt even be playing.
(marv most assists this season for us… Says enough)
JAMSHA
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:22 PM
Comment #39PARDEW OUTTTTTTTTTTTT….. MARVO ON BENCH DAMMMMMMMMMM
Grindilow
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:22 PM
Comment #40I do feel sorry for Anita at times, but Perch has to be given credit. His strength and height are added bonuses.
Guti is always going to start under Pards if he’s fit, surely nearly everyone has realised that now! Hopefully Marveaux will come on later on if we are still in the game.