Newcastle vs Chelsea team news: Diego Costa returns with John Obi Mikel replacing Nemanja Matic
Jose Mourinho has never won a league game at St James' Park
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be looking to end his St James' Park hoodoo with Diego Costa returning to the line-up following suspension.
The Spanish striker missed the 3-0 victory over Tottenham in midweek but comes straight back into the side where he will be looking to return to the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts where he has been usurped by Sergio Aguero.
With two draws and two defeat from his four Premier League games at Newcastle, Mourinho has named a strong and familiar looking side with Willian, Oscar and Hazard supporting Costa in attack.
John Obi Mikel comes in for the suspended Nemanja Matic, who misses his first minutes of the Premier League season.
The home side have made five changes to the side that drew with Burnley on Tuesday.
Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Moussa Sissoko, Jack Colback and Remy Cabella replace Mike Williamson, Massadio Haidara, Mehdi Abeid, Yoan Gouffran and Papiss Cisse.
The match kicks off at 12.45.
Newcastle: Elliot, Janmaat, Coloccini, S.Taylor, Dummett, Sissoko, Tiote, Colback, Ameobi, Perez, Cabella
Subs: Alnwick, Williamson, Haidara, Anita, Gouffran, Riviere, Cisse
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa
Subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Ramires, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments