Paullow

FFS, probably game over already.

Howay the draw.

It's the midweek match that throws a spanner into the works. Everton have 8 days off, and Man Utd have an absolute gift EFL match (on paper), so made more sense for those to go stronger here, although I did suspect Everton would have made a fair few changes given their tough fixture tonight, and where they are in the league. I'm pleased they have both gone strong though. Always makes it feel more worthwhile watching (on TV as a relative neutral) than a bunch of players who may have potential, but you've barely heard of.

Obviously we have a big EFL Cup match on Tuesday, but Fulham have their derby with Chelsea on the Thursday before they play us which might help (us) a bit. Quite a tight turnaround and you can guarantee that will be a massive focus for them, but yeah, not an easy match and they do have a few very good players. Confident at home though.

Villa vs our friends Stevenage is on the BBC platform at the exact same time if that's any better?

Happy with that!

Jamaal's cousin. Na, I'd never heard of him either, but he apparently started their match against Everton. He came on as a sub at half time here.

4 year deal as well and he was 31 years olds

Chelsea have used all their subs. Chukwuemeka cost £20 from Villa in the summer, Hall played against us before the World Cup and did well, and that Hutchinson lad signed from Arsenal over the summer, just 19, but aye, not the most familiar of players.

Chelsea using all their subs. Auba off, after coming on as a sub

Gerrin, marra!

Troublemaker hits the post for Chelsea.

Pulisic and Sterling both substituted in the first 20 minutes. They lost Mount in training yesterday as well. They would have likely wanted to make changes for their FA Cup match at the Etithad on Sunday, but their hands may be more tied now.

Possibly in this instance, but I'd imagine there will be a few ambitious Newcastle fans out there who would prefer City to lose this evening.

Were between 40/1 and 50/1 to win the league. Chelsea are far more of a realistic threat for our aims and ambitions this season.

Come on City.

Yeah, I think this is probably the best move for him. Repeating al lot of what's already been said, but one of the closest UK cities to Newcastle (a fine one at that), so easier to pop back if/when required. 3 Aussie team mates already there, plus also an ex CMC teammate living in the city at Hibs. They still have to play 19 league matches, almost certainly going to be play Rangers and Celtic twice, and Hibs twice if he features in the cup, and maybe 3 times if Hibs can get their act together and finish in the top 6 (by the time of the 33 game cut off) - that's potentially 6 or 7 significant games with an edge, plus perhaps a generally more relaxed atmosphere in that, realistically, they are not going to finish top 2, and shouldn't really finish below 3rd, or 4th at a push, which could be a nice mix of certain big games, but generally a bit less pressure in the other matches to perhaps allow him to flourish more. Just seen that they might have to play St Mirren 4 times in the league They are in decent form as well (11 points from 5, only one defeat in 8, to Rangers), so will probably be walking into a positive dressing room and stadium. Easy to forget that when he returns he'll still just be 18, and if it was extended by a further 12 months and a potential European campaign for him, he'd still be a teenager when he came back.

Mind, it's lovely to be in a position of watching a big televised match between two top sides who have had a lot of success these past 15-20 years and actually wondering what outcome is best for Newcastle United. We've obviously had this before in the Keegan and Robson PL years, but pretty much never for 20 years, bar that one Parted season at an absolute push.

Definitely not Chelsea winning. I think Man City winning is best for Newcastle, as their results won't really impact Newcastle finishing in the top 4, or even top 6, whereas Chelsea's will a lot more. It would be nice visually to be still in touch with City at this stage, so a draw would be OK, and it would also keep the title race with Arsenal more interesting, but realistically, we're not going to finish above them, whereas we absolutely can finish above Chelsea, and we certainly don't want them getting a shock result this evening to potentially be the catalyst to getting something going. I'd probably want Arsenal to win the league, so a draw would help more there, but from a pure Newcastle perspective, the more favourable outcome surely has to be a Man City win.

Are you hoping for a Man City win tomorrow (away at Chelsea) or a draw? The former for me.

Huge chance, obviously, but maybe not quite as bad as I was expecting. Defender might have got back had it have been on target as well.

Disappointing. Didn't see that coming the way that 1st half ended, and even the very start of the second half. Hard to see a way back for them now mind.

You have to fear for Southampton if they lose arguably their easiest fixture of the season on paper. It would be a 6th defeat on the spin, and only 5 points from their last 13 games - they've been on a downward spiral for a long time now. Early days I guess, but doesn't look like any signs of a 'manager bounce'

Leicester match 3 days later far more important IMO. 7 or 8 changes and hope it's enough to get the job done. Leicester have Gillingham who are bottom of the 4th tier and only scored 7 goals in their 23 league matches this season , so they'll no doubt be making wholesale changes for that.

Almost shaking typing. So proud of that, what a TEAM. It does feel like a win.