Chelsea have edged out Newcastle United by a 2-1 scoreline in Sunday's Premier League clash at St James' Park.
Newcastle focused their attention on defending throughout the match, but a controversial penalty decision gave Eden Hazard the chance to net from the spot with 14 minutes remaining.
The Magpies soon equalised in equally contentious fashion through Joselu, but an own goal from DeAndre Yedlin gifted the visitors all three points.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-East courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
3.00pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Newcastle United and Chelsea. The Magpies are without a victory this season and Chelsea have won both of their fixtures, but the Blues have a terrible recent record at St James' Park. Let's see who features in each starting lineup...
3.02pmNEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Schar, Fernandez, Clark; Yedlin, Ki, Diame, Dummett; Ritchie, Murphy, Rondon
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Sterry, Longstaff, Atsu, Muto, Perez, Joselu
3.04pmCHELSEA XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante; Pedro, Hazard, Morata
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Willian, Giroud
3.06pmLATEST! Before we continue with the team news, a quick update from Vicarage Road where Watford currently lead Crystal Palace by a 2-0 scoreline. As it stands, it is going to be three wins from three for the Hornets. Click here to follow the closing stages of that match.
3.08pmBack to this game and let's start with Newcastle, with it looking like Rafael Benitez may have changed system for today's contest. It appears that a back three will be used, with Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez coming in for their first starts for the Magpies.
3.10pmKi Sung-yueng and Salomon Rondon also come into the team as Bentiez opts to make as many as six changes from the goalless draw with Cardiff City. DeAndre Yedlin has recovered from injury in order to come back into the team, while Jacob Muprhy will feature on the flank.
3.12pmAmong the players to drop out of the side are Kenedy - who is unable to play against his parent club - while there is also no sign of Jamaal Lascelles or Jonjo Shelvey in the 18-man squad. Ayoze Perez and Joselu also find themselves among the replacements, but there is no Isaac Hayden due to his sending off last weekend.
3.14pmSummer signing Yoshinori Muto must make do with another appearance on the bench, while academy graduate Jamie Sterry earns a place in the squad due to Javier Manquillo carrying an injury.
3.16pmAs for Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri makes two changes from the team which battled past Arsenal last weekend. Mateo Kovacic is provided with his first start since joining on loan from Real Madrid and Eden Hazard is back in the starting lineup after representing Belgium at the World Cup.
3.18pmRoss Barkley and Willian are the players to drop out of the team. Both men will feel hard done by because they have done little wrong during the opening fixtures against Huddersfield Town and the Gunners.
3.20pmKovacic is expected to line up in a defensive-midfield position alongside Jorginho, with N'Golo Kante being given licence to get forward alongside Alvaro Morata. Hazard will operate on one of the flanks, with Pedro being used on the other.
3.22pmThere is a significant name on the bench with Ruben Loftus-Cheek being recalled to the squad. That could be seen as a show of faith from Sarri at a time when the England international is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
3.24pmRESULT! The full-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road and Watford have just about hung on to register a 2-1 win over rivals Crystal Palace! That's a massive result for the Hertfordshire-based club, who have now won three games in a row!
Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
3.26pmWatford now sit in second place in the Premier League table, although Chelsea can move ahead of them with victory in the North-East. Palace sit in 11th spot after three games, despite having only collected three points. Newcastle will move above them with three points this afternoon.
3.28pmBoth managers have been talking up the other in the build-up to this match. Their connection comes from their respective times at Napoli, with Sarri replacing Benitez in 2015. Sarri feels that his counterpart played a part in his success in Naples. Click here to read what he has had to say.
3.30pmBenitez has also said that he expects Sarri to enjoy a successful stint at Chelsea, a club Benitez has previously managed. Click here to read the thoughts of the Spaniard.
3.32pmNewcastle head into this game looking to avoid losing their opening two homes matches in the Premier League for just the second time. That last occurred in 2003 when defeats were suffered against Manchester United and Birmingham City.
3.34pmThe home side also need to keep a clean sheet this afternoon to avoid conceding their 2,000th goal in top-flight football. That may be a difficult task...
3.36pmThis is the latest of Shelvey and Lascelles...
Three Magpies players will make their debuts against @ChelseaFC today but Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles miss out with thigh and ankle problems respectively, joining Javier Manquillo and Florian Lejeune on the sidelines.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 26, 2018
👉🏽 https://t.co/p1YfaQ519p #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jwDYtrPSnj
3.38pmChelsea may have a terrible record at Newcastle and lost at St James' Park in May, but the Blues have won each of their other four most recent away matches in the Premier League.
3.40pmThe Blues are also looking to further extend their Premier League record of having won their opening three fixtures on the most occasions. They could take that tally to eight today.
3.42pmSarri would become the fifth different manager to achieve three straight wins at the start of his Chelsea career after Antonio Conte, Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink and Jose Mourinho.
3.44pmHazard has only played 43 minutes of the club's first two fixtures but the Belgian playmaker has already provided two assists, more than any of his teammates.
3.46pmPREDICTION! Chelsea are the form team, but Newcastle have a stranglehold over the West Londoners with regards to recent meetings in the North-East and that could play its part. We expect Chelsea to pose a constant threat but this game could end in a 2-2 draw.
3.48pmHEAD TO HEAD! The two teams are squaring off for the 164th time in a competitive fixture, with Chelsea having registered 71 wins in comparison to 53 victories for Newcastle
3.50pmThe recent clashes have very much belonged to the home team. Not since May 2012 has a visiting side won this fixture. That came at Stamford Bridge when Papiss Cisse's double earned Newcastle a 2-0 victory.
3.52pmNewcastle have also registered four wins and one draw from the last five meetings at St James' Park. It would have been all five had Willian not netted a late equaliser in September 2015.
3.54pmThe corresponding fixture last season took place on the final weekend and Chelsea produced one of their worst performances in recent memory, barely making an impact in the final third as Newcastle prevailed by a 3-0 scoreline. Click here to read back on that match.
3.56pmIt's time for the two teams to start making their way out in the North-East. There have been protests towards owner Mike Ashley this week, but the Newcastle fans are in full voice for this one.
3.58pmA reminder of the two starting lineups...
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Schar, Fernandez, Clark; Yedlin, Ki, Diame, Dummett; Ritchie, Murphy, Rondon
CHELSEA XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante; Pedro, Hazard, Morata
1 minKICKOFF: Newcastle get us underway!
2 minHazard is making his first start of the season but it takes him just a minute to pick up a knock, with Ritchie scraping his studs down the Belgian's Achilles. Ouch.
4 minChelsea spent the majority of the opening few minutes in possession, but Newcastle are straight onto the offensive when they get the ball. Murphy's cross from the left is claimed by Kepa.
6 minA quick note on Newcastle's formation. It is very much a back five, with Yedlin and Dummett operating at full-back rather than wing-back. The home side are beginning to control the tempo of the game.
7 minSHOT! The first shot of the match comes from Murphy, who sees a low drive from 20 yards comfortably saved by Kepa.
9 minChelsea have managed to regain possession but there is not a lot coming from the Blues so far. Sarri's men are happy to remain patient during these opening stages.
11 minThe visitors almost get Alonso into a shooting position on the edge of the area but the left-back has no interest in taking an effort on goal with his weaker right foot.
13 minStill much of the same from both sides, with Chelsea keeping hold of the ball and not taking any risks in the final third, and Newcastle looking to launch counter-attacks if they are able to regain possession.
15 minNewcastle are sitting so deep it is allowing Luiz and Rudiger to move well into the Magpies half. It's attack versus defence, and the defence is not being troubled.
17 minSHOT! Chelsea send in a corner from the left and it causes all kinds of confusion in the penalty area. The ball eventually falls to Rudiger, who sends a shot with the outside of his boot wide of the target.
19 minThe visitors decide to focus their attention on possession-based football again. This has not been the most liveliest of openings, but Newcastle will be satisfied with their efforts so far.
21 minChelsea have some concern over Hazard. Diame has just trod down the back of his knee and lower leg, and the winger requires some treatment. He is able to hobble off, but he is struggling.
23 minHazard is back on but despite looking like he is going to continue, he does not look fully fit. Still nothing to talk about on the action front.
25 minCHANCE! It turns out that Hazard does not need to be fully fit to create something out of nothing. The attacker turned on the edge of the area before sending a shot marginally wide of the far post.
27 minGiven the way that Newcastle have set up, there is not really any need for Kovacic. It would have suited Chelsea to keep Barkley in the team because they need more creativity.
29 minBetter from Chelsea who surge forward through Hazard. The pass is played to Morata and after drifting inside, the forward's 20-yard strike is deflected wide for a corner. The set piece comes to nothing.
31 minSlowly but surely, Chelsea are beginning to create more openings in the final third. Newcastle will be happy with their work so far but if they concede, it is all for nothing.
33 minNewcastle win a free kick out on the right flank and it is an opportunity to flood the penalty area. Ritchie's curling set piece is a good one, but Azpilcueta clears well.
34 minCHANCE! The Spaniard's header is only to a Newcastle player and after an inswinging cross finds the head of Rondon, the forward powers a header wide of the near post. He should probably do better.
35 minCHANCE! A minute later, Chelsea should be front. Pedro dispossesses Ki inside of the Newcastle penalty area but despite being able to cut inside and closer to goal, a shot is fired just over the crossbar.
36 minCHANCE! Finally, we have some action. Hazard dribbles into the penalty area and tees up Pedro again, but the Spaniard's low shot is well dealt with by Dubravka.
38 minChelsea revert back to their passing game because they know that they have started to find holes in the Newcastle defence. This is a big seven minutes for the home side.
40 minYELLOW CARD! Kovacic goes into the book for a late challenge on Yedlin, who had made a rapid break forward.
42 minNewcastle have starting to have some joy with crosses into the box, specifically crosses which are fired to the back post. They always seem to have an extra man over. Something for Chelsea to think about.
44 minLATEST! There may be no goals in this match but that is not the case at Craven Cottage. Fulham are edging Burnley by a 3-2 scoreline!
45 minThere will be one minute of added-on time.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Chelsea
4.49pmThe half-time whistle goes at St James' Park and we remain goalless. Chelsea have had the lion's share of possession and carried the most threat in the final third, but Newcastle have also had their moments. Not the best of games, but intriguing nevertheless.
4.53pmSarri will be content with his side's efforts in that first half but they have lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Both Hazard and Pedro have looked lively, but each of the wingers have failed to make the most of any openings inside of the penalty area.
4.59pmMost of Newcastle's good work has come from set pieces and balls being delivered into the box. Benitez has gone with a defensive formation, but the home side always seem to have an extra man available inside of the penalty area from free kicks.
46 minKICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway.
48 minIt has not taken long for both sides to pick up where they left off in the first half. Chelsea are dominating the ball and Newcastle are stacking everyone behind the ball.
50 minCHANCE! Chelsea spend several minutes in possession before Hazard and Pedro work together to tee up Azpilicueta on the edge of the area. The full-back's effort is on target, but too close to Dubravka.
52 minThere are certainly no signs of Chelsea getting impatient in and around the penalty area. They are prepared to bide their time because carving out a goalscoring opportunity.
54 minThat said, it surely won't be long before Sarri decides to introduce an extra creative player. Kante could drop back alongside Jorginho, with Barkley, Loftus-Cheek or Willian replacing Kovacic.
56 minAlmost a chance for Morata, who received the ball around 12 yards from goal. However, the Spaniard needed to get the ball across his body and it ran away from him.
58 minMore of the same from Chelsea who continue to find Newcastle being content with remaining on the edge of their own 18-yard box. It is leading to the crowd not really engaging into the match, and that could benefit Chelsea in the long run.
60 minThe same pattern continues, with Newcastle opting to keep Rondon on his own in attack. The ball isn't sticking, so it leaves Chelsea in a position where they can launch attack after attack.
62 minSUBSTITUTION! Benitez opts to make a change with Joselu replacing Rondon.
64 minHazard was only supposed to be playing an hour of this game but the Belgian remains on the pitch, attempting to find a gap between Newcastle's defenders. A change is going to take place, however...
65 minSUBSTITUTION! It is the introduction of Giroud, who replaces Morata. Schar has just gone into the book for a foul on Hazard.
67 minGiroud gets into the action immediately and links up well with Hazard, but the latter's shot is deflected into the path of Dubravka.
68 minYELLOW CARD! Fernandez now goes into the book for a crude challenge on Hazard.
69 minSUBSTITUTION! A second switch for Chelsea sees Willian come on for Pedro.
70 minYELLOW CARD! Are Newcastle getting tired? This is the third cynical foul in five minutes. On this occasion, Ritchie tripped Hazard on the touchline.
72 minOFF THE BAR! What a hit. Rudiger's goals normally come from his head at set pieces, but the German has just struck the crossbar from all of 30 yards! It was a sensational strike.
73 minSUBSTITUTION! Newcastle make a second change as Perez takes the place of Murphy.
75 minJust the 15 minutes to go now. Chelsea are pushing and pushing, but it feels like it will take something special to break down this Newcastle defence.
76 minPENALTY! Chelsea win a penalty! Alonso gets clear of Schar inside of the area and the defender just about wins the ball when attempting to make a last-ditch challenge. However, the referee awards a spot kick! It's "one of those".
76 minGOAL! Newcastle United 0-1 Chelsea (Eden Hazard)
77 minChelsea take the lead! Hazard steps up and drills the ball into the left corner. Dubravka had little chance with that.
79 minSUBSTITUTIONS! Sarri acts by introducing Barkley for Kovacic. Kante will surely drop back. Muto is also on for Schar.
81 minNewcastle will naturally push players forward now, but space will inevitably be left at the other end of the pitch. It feels like there will be another goal in this match...
83 minGOAL! Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea (Joselu)
83 minTold you. This one is contentious too. Yedlin elbows Giroud to win possession, then proceeds to cross the ball for Joselu to head into the near top corner from 10 yards out. Game on!
85 minAll of a sudden, Newcastle feel that they can win this. St James' Park is rocking. Chelsea need to be careful not to throw this away after dominating the match.
87 minGOAL! Newcastle United 1-2 Chelsea (DeAndre Yedlin own goal)
87 minWhat a set of circumstances! Chelsea regain the lead as Yedlin puts through his own net after Alonso's volley was heading wide of the far post. Barkley was lurking and would probably have got there, but Yedlin diverted the ball into the corner.
89 minWhat have Newcastle got left? They win a free kick from 40 yards out but the set piece is over-hit and goes out for a goal kick.
90 minThere will be five minutes of added-on time.
90+2 minChelsea are just looking to see this out now. If they do so, it would see them move into second place in the standings.
90+3 minSHOT! Perez gets the chance to fire a half-volley towards goal from 20 yards out, but the effort is always rising over Kepa's crossbar.
90+5 minFULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-2 Chelsea
5.57pmThe full-time whistle goes at St James' Park and Chelsea have held on to register a 2-1 victory over Newcastle. The match came to life in the final 15 minutes, but an own goal from Yedlin has proven to be the difference. Chelsea move into second place in the standings, while Newcastle remain without a win.
5.58pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
