A standing ovation for the Newcastle players as they leave the pitch for the interval.

Newcastle should be two or three up by now.

A quick counter sees the ball played in to Ayoze Perez on the edge of the box, the Spaniard takes it first time, but his low driller bounces just wide of goal.

Image source, Reuters

The Chelsea players may want to keep their heads down in the changing room at half-time because manager Antonio Conte will be unleashing a rocket on a few of those in Blue.

Chelsea fans in the stands have their heads in their hands.

You like that bit of poetry??

News is filtering through from Anfield, it does not make happy reading for them.

Image source, PA

Over at Anfield.

Fourth place is wrapped up.

Liverpool have doubled their advantage against Brighton through Dejan Lovren's towering header.

Chelsea to miss out on Champions League football next season and Antonio Conte looks helpless on the sideline at St James' Park.

Newcastle are like a pack of dogs at the moment, biting at Chelsea's ankles everytime they get the ball.

They are not giving Antonio Conte's side a inch.

Can they keep it going for the whole game though?

Ayoze Perez's shot hits Cesar Azpilcueta's hand in the box, but there was no intention from the Chelsea defender.

Referee Martin Atkinson waves away the appeals and that is a correct decision.

Second later, Spaniard Azpilicueta is involved again in the box with the same opposition player, hauling him to the ground, bit the man in black dismisses the shouts for a spot kick once more.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have still not made an attempt at the Newcastle goal.

Cesar Azpulicueta picks out Ross Barkley's run in behind the Magpies' back line, but with his back to goal, is snuffed out by the home defence.

"Rafa, Rafael, Rafa, Rafael, Rafa, Rafael, Rafael Benitez," bellow the home supporters.

They love the man, what a job he has done at Newcastle.

Let's be honest, this is a squad of Championship players punching well about their weight.

Newcastle are swarming all over Chelsea.

Dwight Gayle has already got one and is sniffing another, but his low drive from outside the area is brilliantly kept out by Thibaut Courtois's low save down to his left.

Over at Anfield...

Mohamed Salah has given Liverpool the lead at Brighton.

Chelsea finishing fifth, as it stands.

It should be two!

Jonjo Shelvey shows some silky footwork to weave his way through the Chelsea backline.

He makes his way into the box and attempts a lashed finish into the top corner, but it sails just over the crossbar.

Shelvey running the show for Newcastle.

Image source, PA

Another rasping Mohamed Diame drive, this time with his left foot, but it fizzes inches wide of Thibaut Courtois' right-hand post.

A goal for Newcastle now would be well deserved.

Newcastle are looking much more threatening and force Thibaut Courtois into another sharp save.

Jonjo Shelvey sets his side going with a slick through ball to Ayoze Perez, who keeps his composure to pick out Matt Ritchie inside the box.

The former Bournemouth man pulls the ball back, N'Golo Kante stretches his foot out and almost nets an own goal, but for the Belgium goalkeeper's instinctive stop.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, making his first appearance in a Blues shirt since 31 January, has not been able to exert his influence on the game.

The Englishman is stuck on the right and not getting the ball.

Chelsea not playing like they want a Champions League spot for next season.

No urgency.

Image source, Reuters

Over at Anfield, still 0-0 which means Liverpool remain in control of that fourth place in the league.

It is all Newcastle at the moment, applying pressure to the Chelsea backline.

The Blues are holding out, for now.

Oof! Newcastle almost grab the opener.

Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey gets a ball from around 25 yards out then thunders a strike goalwards which Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has to push away.

Then Mohamed Diame has a pop from the left edge of the box which is sneaking in at the front post, but again the Belgium goalkeeper is equal to it.