Richard Munro: Newcastle luck unbelievable so many injuries

Simon: I think Steve Bruce must have tripped over a black cat, whilst walking under a ladder on Friday 13th. So much bad luck with injuries.

Joelinton! So close to putting Newcastle ahead as he smashes a header against the crossbar.

After seeing him overcome with emotion after scoring against Rochdale in the FA Cup recently, I really want him to bag in the Premier League again. His last league goal was way back in August.

Isaac Hayden has shaken off the injury and is back on the pitch, so that's some rare injury-related good news for Newcastle fans, who must fear the worst every time a player goes down.

Steven Wild
Commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live

Steve Bruce is about 10 metres in front of me, shaking his head in disbelief as Jetro Willems is stretchered off the pitch. Willems was immediately beating the ground in a mixture of pain and shock. He knew it was serious. Yet another injury problem to add to the ever growing list.

Good of Andy Carroll to take time out from Peaky Blinders filming to pop down to St James' Park today. He is in the stands sporting a belting flat cap.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Allan Saint-Maximin has just drawn ironic cheers from the away fans after sending a shot over the roof and out onto the streets outside.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at St James' Park

The last thing Newcastle need is another injury and the crowd sensed it was a bad one straight away as a hush descended over St James' Park. Just when they get Allan Saint-Maximin back, another one heads to the treatment table. Let's hope it's not too serious.

Isaac Hayden limps to the edge of the pitch. It looks like he is going to try and soldier on, however.

Martin Dubravka is off his line quickly to get to the ball before Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Oh dear! What's this? Another Newcastle player is down injured. This time it is Isaac Hayden...

Antonio Rudiger's ball over the defence runs straight through to Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal. This game has yet to get going.

Mason Mount mounts a Chelsea attack. He breaks into the box and sends the ball across the face of goal but there is no-one in a Blue shirt supporting him.

That is indeed sadly game over for Jetro Willems, who needs a stretcher.

Matt Ritchie is on for his first Premier League appearance since August.

Newcastle are having some rotten luck with injuries.

This doesn't look good for Jetro Willems. He tackles Callum Hudson-Odoi but takes a knock to the knee in doing so and he looks in real discomfort.

Matt Ritchie is sent to warm up.

There's a bit more zip about Chelsea now as they try to pull Newcastle defenders out of position.

Miguel Almiron is back defending now as he gets in a good tackle to prevent Callum Hudson-Odoi getting a cross in. The visitors have a corner but it is dealt with by the Newcastle defence.

Even stevens so far.

Good work from Miguel Almiron down the right. He twists, turns, plays the ball back to a team-mate, who fires a cross to the far post for Allan Saint-Maximin but the winger heads over.

Possession play from Chelsea at the moment as they test out the Newcastle defence, looking for the potential weak spots.

Steven Wyeth
BBC Sport at St James' Park

Allan Saint-Maximin has just come across to the touchline to remove a piece of jewellery so hefty I reckon it would add at least half a second to his 100 metres sprint time.

Off we go!

The players are out on the pitch at St James' Park. Chelsea have the chance to strengthen their place in the top four while a win for Newcastle would further increase the gap between themselves and the bottom three.