Premier League make Chelsea & Newcastle United official decision

Newcastle visit Stamford Bridge - a ground they are winless at since May 2011 - looking to end a run of four league games without a win. Eddie Howe’s side also haven’t scored a goal in open play in almost seven hours of football.

Simon Hooper has been appointed as referee, overseeing his first Newcastle match of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Swindon-born official took charge of United’s 4-1 win against Chelsea at St James’ Park in November last year, sending off Reece James for two yellow cards. He also refereed United’s the FA Cup defeat at Manchester City and the 4-2 win at Brentford on the final day of last season.

Hooper will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long with Robert Jones as fourth official. Jarred Gillett and Ian Hussin are on VAR duty.

Gillett was the man in the middle for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Chelsea last December, where he controversially opted against handing Moises Caicedo a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Anthony Gordon inside the opening stages.

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The Australian cautioned the £115million-rated midfielder but with no VAR in place, he was unable to take a second look. Howe later revealed his fury at the challenge, which eventually forced Gordon to withdraw in the second-half.

"Anthony was sore, it was a horrible challenge on him I thought having reviewed it," said Howe. "Really disappointed with the tackle. He’s sore but we’ll see how he is today, hopefully, he’ll improve quickly."

The Blues went on to beat Newcastle 4-2 on penalties to advance into the semi-finals .Callum Wilson opened the scoring at but a last-minute Kieran Trippier error gifted Mykhailo Mudryk an equaliser.