Arsenal vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Lacazette penalty and Partey goal

Follow live updates as Arsenal host Leicester in the Premier League, with the Gunners looking to reclaim fourth place following Manchester United’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick at Old Trafford may have lifted United above Arsenal but Mikel Arteta’s side remain in pole position to qualify for the Champions League as they seek their fifth-straight win this afternoon. An important late victory at home to Wolves was followed by a 3-2 win away to Watford last weekend.

It sets up a crucial week for Arsenal, who will welcome second-placed Liverpool to the Emirates on Wednesday before facing a tricky trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, and it could prove pivotal in their top-four bid as they look to pull away from United, Tottenham and West Ham. The Gunners recorded a 2-0 win over Leicester earlier this season and the Foxes will be out for revenge as they eye a return to the top half of the table.

Leicester’s form has steadied in recent weeks, with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Leeds followed up by a 2-0 win over Rennes in the first-leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie in midweek. Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Leicester below:

Arsenal vs Leicester

• Hosts can reclaim fourth place with a win

• Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette

• Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison; Albrighton, Barnes; Iheanacho

• GOAL! Partey heads in corner as Leicester set-piece curse strikes again

• HT: Arsenal lead through Partey header but Leicester finish half on top

• GOAL! Lacazette penalty doubles Arsenal’s lead after Soyuncu handball

Arsenal FC 2 - 0 Leicester City FC

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:18 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: There will be five minutes added on as Martin Odegaard is awarded a deserved man-of-the-match award.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:17 , Jamie Braidwood

88 mins: Nketiah is now on as Lacazette makes way to a great reception. Leicester have been poor since Lacazette’s penalty and have barely troubled Arsenal.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:13 , Jamie Braidwood

84 mins: And that was close to being a beautiful goal - as Odegaard and Lacazette combined with a flurry of passes before a clipped ball towards the Frenchman was diverted from his path.

Saka gets a break as he is replaced by Pepe.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:12 , Jamie Braidwood

83 mins: Arsenal are seeing this out with control and composure. Partey and Odegaard have been excellent today and having such good passers in midfield makes such a huge difference.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:11 , Jamie Braidwood

82 mins: Chance! Xhaka slips in Smith Rowe with a nice pass down the side. The angle was tight as Smith Rowe looked for a gap between Schmeichel’s legs but the Leicester goalkeeper makes the stop.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:08 , Jamie Braidwood

79 mins: Arsenal are looking comfortable as they see out this two-goal lead. Daka is then booked for bringing down Saka from behind - and there’s a moment of concern as he stays down following the contact on the back of his foot.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:05 , Jamie Braidwood

76 mins: Emile Smith Rowe is on for Arsenal as Martinelli makes way. The Brazilian has had an excellent game out on the left, but Arsenal will be glad to have Smith Rowe back in action.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:02 , Jamie Braidwood

73 mins: That is also Iheanacho’s last involvement as he is replacement by Patson Daka. Cedric’s shot is blocked by Soyuncu before Leicester are able to cut out a ball towards Odegaard as he shaped to shoot.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

18:00 , Jamie Braidwood

71 mins: Iheanacho finds some space on the edge of the box to send a deflected effort towards Ramsdale, who makes a comfortable save.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

17:58 , Jamie Braidwood

68 mins: White goes down after being caught by Iheanacho. The Leicester forward is on a booking so is quick to stress the contact was accidental.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

17:54 , Jamie Braidwood

65 mins: Close! Almost an opening for Barnes but Arsenal are able to get the block in.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

17:53 , Jamie Braidwood

64 mins: Arsenal fly forward through Martinelli but the move breaks down as Saka tries to feed Lacazette with a ball inside. Leicester then counter and have a man over in Albrighton but his shot is blocked by Gabriel.

Arsenal 2-0 Leicester

17:51 , Jamie Braidwood

62 mins: Leicester have made a double change with James Justin and Wilfred Ndidi replacing Ricardo and Mendy. Brendan Rodgers’ side haven’t picked up where they left off just before half time.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Leicester (LACAZETTE 59’)

17:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Magnificent finish from Lacazette! The Frenchman fires into the top left corner to double Arsenal’s lead. Schmeichel is furious and wants a retake after Lacazette stuttered his run-up, but there was nothing wrong with that. Long way back for Leicester now.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester - PENALTY!

17:45 , Jamie Braidwood

58 mins: The referee rules that Soyuncu touched the ball and he is booked! It was a long review, but that looks to be the right decision. Lacazette to take...

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:44 , Jamie Braidwood

56 mins: Soyuncu has reached out and appears to have handled the ball as Partey looked to head in from close range. Anthony Taylor is checking the monitor.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:43 , Jamie Braidwood

54 mins: Off the line! Arsenal threaten from another set-piece, as a free-kick from wide is flashed into the box. Leicester scramble clear after Schmeichel saves and Thomas hacks off his goalline, but there’s a check for handball...

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:40 , Jamie Braidwood

50 mins: Great play from Arsenal. Lovely link up between Lacazette and Odegaard on the halfway line leads to Martinelli racing around the outside of Pereira. He cut it back to Lacazette but the ball didn’t sit right, so Tierney’s cross then picked out Saka. Schmeichel does well to beat the ball clear after Saka’s volley was hit into the ground.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:38 , Jamie Braidwood

49 mins: Xhaka bizarrely catches the ball as it drifted over his head and out of play, leading to a Leicester free kick.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:36 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: White meets a cross to flick a header towards goal but it drifts wide. Odegaard was heavily involved with a cute pass inside.

Kick-off! Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Back underway - no changes at the break.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:31 , Jamie Braidwood

The players are in the tunnel at the Emirates. Second half coming up shortly.

HALF-TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal lead through Thomas Partey’s head after Leicester conceded from yet another set-piece situation. The Gunners were worthy of their lead and played some lovely football in the opening 30 minutes but Leicester responded well and grew into the game. Arsenal would have been happy for the half-time whistle to come and Leicester were denied an equaliser when Aaron Ramsdale produced an excellent stop to keep out a Harvey Barnes header from close range.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:16 , Jamie Braidwood

43 mins: Saka almost gets played in following long pass, but Thomas gets back to get an important touch on it. Arsenal have only really been able to threaten with direct passes over the last 15-20 minutes.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:09 , Jamie Braidwood

38 mins: Leicester are growing in confidence now. Maddison fires in an excellent ball that was just begging for a touch, but Cedric is there to clear up at the back post.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:07 , Jamie Braidwood

35 mins: Great save! Ramsdale flicks out an outstretched arm to deny Barnes’ header. A loose moment from Gabriel and Martinelli handed Leicester a corner. The first set-piece leads to another corner, where Albrighton’s angled ball found Barnes. But that’s an excellent save from Ramsdale. ‘Wow’ mouths Rodgers.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:04 , Jamie Braidwood

32 mins: The pace of the match has dropped slightly after that brief stoppage. Odegaard gets the home fans off their seats as he skips past a Leicester challenge in his half, but his pass towards Saka just runs out of play out on the wing. The Norwegian is having an excellent game, though.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

17:01 , Jamie Braidwood

29 mins: Gabriel goes down in a heap after being caught by an outstretched hand from Iheanacho - who was looking to brush him off. Iheanacho receives a booking .

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:59 , Jamie Braidwood

28 mins: A clever reverse pass from Odegaard sets up Saka, who stands up Thomas in the box. The full-back is able to block his shot as he looked to guide the ball across goal. Lacazette then tries his luck from 25 yards but Schmeichel is able to gather.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:57 , Jamie Braidwood

25 mins: Better from Leicester and it takes an important challenge from White to stop Maddison from striking at goal from six yards. Dewsbury-Hall had fired in a dangerous ball from the left which Ramsdale had to react to, but he pushed it into trouble and set up the chance for Maddison.

Arsenal then counter and Martinelli’s shot is blocked as he looked for the far corner. Really open game this, and it’s being played at a good tempo.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:55 , Jamie Braidwood

24 mins: Chance! That is a lovely ball from Dewsbury-Hall, who picks out Barnes with a curling pass that beats Cedric. Barnes brings it down but his touch narrows the angle and Ramsdale is able to get enough on his chip to put it behind for a corner.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:52 , Jamie Braidwood

21 mins: Just wonderful from Saka - as Arsenal appeal for a penalty. Saka picks the ball up near the touchline before turning Thomas and gliding towards goal. He’s bundled over in the box but Mendy got back to just get a toe on it, before Martinelli’s shot towards the near post is covered by Schmeichel. Could be a long afternoon for Thomas, this.

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:49 , Jamie Braidwood

18 mins: Off the bar! Excellent move from Arsenal, as they release Saka down the right and he drifts inside into the box. Thomas backs off and Saka slips in Cedric, who pulls it back to Lacazette. His touch is heavy but it breaks to Saka and then Xhaka, as Leicester throw bodies on the line. Finally, it lands at Partey’s feet but his curling shot smacks off the bar!

Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

16:47 , Jamie Braidwood

15 mins: Arsenal have started well here and Martinelli and Saka already look threatening down the channels, while Odegaard is finding those pockets of space he thrives in so much in the middle of the pitch. Brendan Rodgers must have watched that Partey header in complete dismay.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Leicester (PARTEY 11’)

16:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Disaster for Leicester as they concede from a corner yet again! Partey is left totally unmarked at the front post to head past Schmeichel and hand Arsenal an early lead. It had been coming, although few would have had Partey down for a likely opening scorer. That’s the 12th goal Leicester have conceded from set-pieces this season.

Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:41 , Jamie Braidwood

10 mins: Saka and Odegaard exchange passes, as they did to devastating effect at Watford last week, before Saka’s shot is blocked. Arsenal then win a corner as Tierney attacks down the left.

Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:39 , Jamie Braidwood

8 mins: A lovely pass from Odegaard inside to Martinelli sets up a shot from close range, which Schmeichel bats clear. Martinelli was offside anyway.

Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:38 , Jamie Braidwood

6 mins: Tierney plays a clipped ball down the line for Martinelli, who beats Ricardo around the outside. He goes down while appealing for a tug, but nothing is given. Ricardo eased the Brazilian off the ball and there wasn’t much in it. Saka then gets his first opening down the right.

Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:35 , Jamie Braidwood

4 mins: Leicester have started off here with a decent spell of possession - although a heavy touch from Dewsbury-Hall hands Arsenal the ball back. Maddison has lined up high and alongside Iheanacho in the Leicester attack.

Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:33 , Jamie Braidwood

3 mins: Ramsdale gets clattered as he comes out of his box to make a clearance. The Arsenal goalkeeper made one of the saves of the season to deny a James Maddison free-kick in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign.

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Leicester

16:31 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re underway at the Emirates after both teams meet in the centre circle for a moment of solidarity for the people of Ukraine.

Arsenal vs Leicester

16:26 , Jamie Braidwood

West Ham’s win over Aston Villa earlier means Arsenal have dropped down to sixth ahead of kick-off, but they can finish the weekend where they started in fourth place with a win here.

The players are out at the Emirates and kick-off is moments away.

Arsenal vs Leicester

16:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta: “We always hope for better. This is a team that has performed consistently. We need to keep doing a lot of the good things we are doing, but we understand it is going to be difficult today.

Brendan Rodgers: “Mikel has done fantastically well after a different start. They have cohesion now and players who can make the difference. It’s a real challenge for us but we came here and won. We will have to suffer today but let’s go and play football and work hard.”

Arsenal vs Leicester: Team news

16:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal are unchanged from last weekend’s win over Watford, which means Emile Smith Rowe misses out. The headline changes for Leicester see Youri Tielemens and Wilfred Ndidi drop to the bench. James Maddison starts but Jamie Vardy is not involved.

Arsenal vs Leicester

16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal are showing solidary with Ukraine at the Emirates today, particularly their former right back Oleh Luzhnyi.

Havertz scores late winner as Chelsea and Newcastle serve reminder of both sides of football

16:04 , Karl Matchett

A moment from Kai Havertz that displays why we keep coming back to football, in a match that offered so many reasons to stay away.

Procedure insists we must state the scoreline of this match at Stamford Bridge was a late 1-0 win for Chelsea over Newcastle United, but the real significance is not on the table or anything like this. It is what it means for the sport, and society.

The wonder is how a fixture like this will be looked back on. What will its place in history be?

There were many moments were it barely felt a football match at all, and not just because it was mostly a poor game.

It is difficult not to feel that, just at the point where the Premier League appears to have reached a peak in terms of financial power, this showcased the absolute worst of the sport. So much of it, put bluntly, was so depressing.

Miguel Delaney’s match report from Stamford Bridge:

Havertz scores late winner as Chelsea end Newcastle’s unbeaten run

Premier League full-time scores

16:03 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

Everton 0-1 Wolves

Leeds 2-1 Norwich

Southampton 1-2 Watford

West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa

Full time - Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

15:53 , Karl Matchett

Havertz steals the points for the Blues in the last minute and ends Newcastle’s unbeaten run.

Points have been won in stoppage time at Elland Road too - Norwich’s late equaliser is rendered irrelevant as Joe Gelhardt nets in the 94th minute for Leeds.

Jacob Ramsey has pulled one back for Villa but they are 2-1 down to West Ham.

93’ - Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

15:52 , Karl Matchett

Off the bar! Havertz streaks away down the right, beats his man and shoots - Dubravka gets fingertips to the ball and it bounces up and off the bar.

And that’s the last action as the final whistle goes! Three points in the end for Chelsea.

90’ - Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

15:50 , Karl Matchett

Four minutes of stoppage time.

Newcastle bring on Dwight Gayle and Ryan Fraser, with Gayle going straight into the book for a foul.

Goals elsewhere - Norwich have a late, late equaliser at Leeds through Kenny McLean, 1-1 there, while Pablo Fornals has made it West Ham 2-0 Aston Villa.

89’ - Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

15:47 , Karl Matchett

GOAL! What a touch from Kai Havertz and this time it’s in!

A lofted pass finds him running in the far post and his control is just sublime, with the second touch a brilliant flick past the keeper and in.

Big question of whether he should be on the pitch, of course, but Chelsea lead!

88’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:45 , Karl Matchett

Schar nods an effort on-target but it’s easy for Mendy to gather. Perhaps should have done rather better.

Kovacic then gets a yellow for a trip in midfield. It’s all so scrappy, very uninspiring stuff. The ball then bounces Lukaku’s way in the area but he’s offside again. He has had no impact since coming on - just three touches on the ball in his half-hour on the pitch.

84’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:42 , Karl Matchett

Newcastle look pretty comfortable at dealing with Chelsea’s attacking threat, which is increasingly lacking in inspiration or speed.

Bad to worse for Everton as Jonjoe Kenny is sent-off - they still trail to Wolves.

81’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:38 , Karl Matchett

Final change and it’s Christian Pulisic on for Sarr as the Blues go for the points.

We’re into the final 10 now and Kante’s cross toward Lukaku is cleared. Nobody really in the box for the home side there other than the striker.

Kovacic then surges forward through midfield and is tripped by Guimaraes - yellow for him.

77’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:34 , Karl Matchett

What a chance for Havertz! Chelsea’s first effort on target as he ghosts past Lascelles and heads straight at Dubravka. Really had to score.

Goal in east London - West Ham 1-0 Aston Villa as Andriy Yarmolenko hits the back of the net, having come on as sub for Michail Antonio earlier in the half.

74’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:32 , Karl Matchett

The game in danger of winding toward a very uneventful close, if one of these sides don’t seriously up the tempo or risk level.

After all the off-pitch headlines there’s a case to make that they wouldn’t mind that, but it wouldn’t help Chelsea in terms of staying in the title race.

Arsenal vs Leicester: Team news

15:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette

Leicester: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison; Albrighton, Barnes; Iheanacho

70’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:30 , Karl Matchett

Into the final 20 minutes we go. Chalobah launches a cross towards Lukaku but it doesn’t reach him. He has only managed a single touch in his short spell on the pitch so far.

66’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:27 , Karl Matchett

Saint-Maximin comes on now as Newcastle make their move. Almiron is off.

More counter-attacking threat for the visitors, but will it lead to more chances on goal? We’ve only had one effort on target so far, from Almiron himself before half-time.

The Newcastle sub immediately gets on the ball but can’t wind his way past two defenders.

62’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:20 , Karl Matchett

Werner races through, rounds Dubravka and is taken down - would be a stonewall penalty but the offside flag goes up!

That is an escape at the other end after that earlier penalty shout down the far side.

A quick VAR check on the offside call, otherwise that will be a penalty...all fine and correct call though.

Chelsea subs: Lukaku and Kovacic on for Werner and Mount.

60’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:17 , Karl Matchett

Yellow now for Ziyech as a high boot catches his man on the edge of the Chelsea box. Tempers starting to flare up and the home supporters frustrated by the officiating call, but the bigger one might have been that potential Murphy penalty - it certainly looked a foul.

Chelsea clear the free-kick and then Werner somehow wins a foul off Targett.

56’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:14 , Karl Matchett

Werner runs in behind and he’s onside - but his touch is awful and it bounces off his thigh and through to the keeper. That was a decent opening.

Burn then defends well against Havertz, who makes another break across the defensive line.

Approaching the hour mark and suddenly Newcastle want a penalty - Murphy goes past Chalobah who has hold of his shirt and drags him down - corner says the ref!

52’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:11 , Karl Matchett

Very stop-start. A handball by Mount sends Tuchel wild on the touchline that the foul didn’t go his way. The subsequent free-kick is wasted when the offside flag goes up though.

At the other end, Dubravka claims a high ball with plenty of bodies in the box. Changes are needed it seems.

Goal at Goodison Park and it’s not for the home side - ex-Liverpool man Coady makes it Everton 0-1 Wolves.

48’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:08 , Karl Matchett

Yellow card for Murphy after he hauls down Ziyech. The free-kick delivery is poor from Mount though and it’s straight out for a goal kick.

No real spark to the home side’s performance just yet. Plenty of firepower on the bench though with the likes of Romelu Lukaku in particular there.

Second half - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

15:04 , Karl Matchett

Back underway! Let’s see who can threaten a little more to open the scoring in this half.

Premier League half-time scores

14:53 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

Everton 0-0 Wolves

Leeds 1-0 Norwich

Southampton 1-2 Watford

West Ham 0-0 Aston Villa

45' - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:47 , Karl Matchett

Into two minutes of stoppage time at the Bridge.

Jorginho chops down his man and a free-kick almost results in the opener - Mendy saves from Almiron’s volley, then the second effort is sent into orbit.

And there’s the half-time whistle!

Southampton have pulled a goal back through Mohamed Elyounoussi right before the interval.

42’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:44 , Karl Matchett

Murphy almost bursts into the box but Christensen defends his area well.

Neither side have quite had the cutting edge in this half and we’re without a shot on target so far.

A direct, diagonal ball toward Ziyech ends in another Chelsea corner - will we see the breakthrough before half time?

Not this time, as Burn powers a header clear.

38’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:40 , Karl Matchett

Yellow card for Havertz as he jumps into an aerial challenge with his elbow bent and clattered the head of Dan Burn.

VAR are taking a look and it doesn’t look tremendous it has be said.

Burn isn’t happy at all and has a harsh word with the German after receiving treatment.

34’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:35 , Karl Matchett

Parts of the ground begin cheering as the ball ripples the net - but Mason Mount’s free-kick has hit the outside netting and is wide.

Newcastle’s turn to attack off a corner this time and Burn flicks a header goalwards but it’s just wide of the far post.

The two sets of fans in the stands have a bit of a back-and-forth over who has to get Mike Ashley as their next owner.

Meanwhile, Watford have gone 2-0 up at Southampton - Cucho Hernandez has his second.

31’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:30 , Karl Matchett

Timo Werner runs in behind the defence but Lascelles is there on the cover and blocks it behind for another corner.

Newcastle dealing well with set-piece threats so far and they clear this one too.

The pressure keeps coming though and Havertz drills a cross along the six-yard box - nobody on hand to tap in.

27’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:27 , Karl Matchett

Guimaraes is dominating Jorginho somewhat in the centre of the park when they go head-to-head in there.

The Brazilian wins the ball once more but the attempted counter-attack only ends in a Chelsea raid down the left and a corner being won.

It’s sent out to Mount on the edge of the box but his awkward volley is well off-target.

22’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:23 , Karl Matchett

Allan Saint-Maximin gets a big applause from Newcastle fans as he goes for a warm-up.

Ziyech has to track back and make a timely interception after Targett and Longstaff opt against shooting following a deep ball to the back post.

17’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:19 , Karl Matchett

Still scoreless at Stamford Bridge but we’ve had two goals go in elsewhere.

Cucho Hernandez has put Watford ahead at Southampton, 1-0 there, and Leeds are off to a positive start with a Rodrigo goal at home to Norwich.

Could it be a first, and vital, win for Jesse Marsch there?

12’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:14 , Karl Matchett

Rudiger engaging in a couple of scuffles already and now fouls Murphy as he looks to clear a set-piece. The Chelsea No2 has also had a run-in with the referee in the opening stages, disgruntled at a corner decision initially not going his way.

7’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:09 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea certainly having the better of the early proceedings in terms of possession and getting into the attacking half of the pitch, but Newcastle certainly holding their own.

A direct ball toward Wood eventually ends in an offside flag, while Kante and Werner combine at the other end but the visitors stand firm again.

3’ - Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:03 , Karl Matchett

Mason Mount surges through the middle but the Magpies get enough players back to crowd him out.

Underway in all five 2pm games in the Premier League now.

Chelsea are still wearing their ‘Three’-sponsored home kits, by the way.

1'- Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle

14:01 , Karl Matchett

Kick-off! Underway at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea with a back four, Newcastle with five.

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

13:57 , Karl Matchett

OK, after a lot of off-pitch matters this week, it’s time to focus back on the football for the next 90 minutes.

Both teams are in decent form and have big reasons to keep winning - it could be a pretty fantastic match at pitch level.

The sides are out now and we’re just a few minutes from kick-off.

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

13:46 , Karl Matchett

Both matches have spoken on the tactical battle ahead of the game as it looks like Newcastle will have a back three and Chelsea a back four, a change for both.

Thomas Tuchel:

“We are running out of right-wing backs as James has the re-injury. We needed to be creative but let’s see how it works out.”

Eddie Howe:

“We’ve been in a really good place physically and mentally. The guys have developed a confidence in their play. Tactically we’ll have to be really good so we need the foundations to be right to give us a way in the match.”

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

13:40 , Karl Matchett

Jamie Carragher has been discussing the prospect of fan ownership at Chelsea and beyond, but he doesn’t see it as a reasonable outcome this time around.

“I think it’s very difficult, whether it would happen in reality I’m not sure. Fans should have a say in how the club is run but a £2bn sale and then they can stop what the owners what to do - I’m not sure [it’s plausible].”

Chelsea latest news as Petr Cech discusses Thomas tuchel future

13:33 , Karl Matchett

Petr Cech is also asked on Thomas Tuchel and on-pitch matters, both now and under any potential new owner:

“Thomas has the contract until 2024 and we’ve been told the contracts will be valued. We hope he stays as he’s been brilliant on every level.

“But tomorrow the situation could change and my answer could be irrelevant.

“Chelsea has over a hundred years of history. The success is down to hard work of the people since the club was founded. I heard people want to take the last 19 years and erase it from memory but this isn’t about money and the players will work hard and sweat every day. That shouldn’t be forgotten.

“Sometimes in careers the managers leaves, the owners change. Now we are in the same situation. We go day by day, we hope the new owners will come and keep us competitive, take care of the community and [continue] the legacy on the pitch as well.”

Petr Cech answers tough questions on Chelsea finance, licence and completing the Premier League season

13:26 , Karl Matchett

Tough questions to Petr Cech who has been speaking on TV:

“Our thoughts are with the victims in Ukraine and a I hope the situation improves.

“Here at the club it has been a difficult situation; we have lots of questions but not many answers. We are focused on the things we can control, helping people and preparing for the game - that’s the only thing we can control at the moment. We want to help keep the integrity of the Premier League competition and try to do our best.

“We have to admit we go day by day as it’s not in our hands. The conversations are about if we can finish the season and we’re part of the Premier League. For us to carry on to finish the season would help everybody involved.

“I’m not involved in the talks with the government but the club are talking every day about the licence. We hope the situation will be clearer soon.

“We hope the people working for the club will be able to get their salaries and live their lives and work. But this is a difficult question for me to answer as I don’t know what the licence will be like day-to-day. At the training ground we’re trying to support each other and focus in difficult times.”

13:22 , Karl Matchett

Jamie Carragher believes keeping hold of manager Thomas Tuchel will be the main objective for whoever ends up buying Chelsea FC, given his quality of coaching and ability to rival some of the best in the world.

“It’s a great playing squad but there’s a few players out of contract. But in terms of Thomas Tuchel there’s a guy who can compete with Klopp and Guardiola. Those managers are very few and far between right now,” he has said on Sky Sports.

Azpilicueta, Rudiger and Christensen are just some of the players Chelsea have approaching the end of their deals this season.

Chelsea fans reminded Abramovich sanctioned for supporting Putin’s ‘brutal assault’ on Ukraine

13:16 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea fans have been vociferous in their support for sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich in the past two away games, leading to plenty of criticism in particular after they chanted for the oligarch during what was supposed to be a moment of respect and solidarity for Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the prime minister, Boris Johnson, this week sought to remind Blues fans precisely what Abramovich has been sanctioned for, notably having “provided support to the Putin regime and the brutal assault on Ukraine.”

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust had called for fans to be “respectful” towards Ukrainians but so far, at least, those calls have gone unheeded.

It will be interesting to see Stamford Bridge’s overall approach to the situation today - the club’s first home game since the sanctions.

Chanting Chelsea fans told to remember reasons behind Roman Abramovich sanctions

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

13:10 , Karl Matchett

Some fairly telling images from today as the supporters start to arrive and team news filters through: the sanctions on Abramovich and the restrictions on Chelsea are already making a visible difference on matchday.

No sales of merchandise allowed, no tickets allowed to be sold as it stands. The club are operating on a restricted budget and any proceeds earned are effectively frozen for now.

It will make for an unusual surrounding of the game, and that’s even before we see the Blues take to the pitch in a sponsorless jersey, after Three suspended their deal with the Blues.

Chelsea vs Newcastle - Confirmed line-ups

13:03 , Karl Matchett

Team news time! Here are the starting line-ups for today:

Chelsea XI - Mendy, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Sarr, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz, Werner

Newcastle XI - Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, S Longstaff, Almiron, Murphy, Wood

Chelsea bidders given green light to press on as Roman Abramovich seeks sale

12:58 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea’s sale is expected to progress with government oversight as bidders have been told to press on with submissions.

Owner Roman Abramovich’s government sanctions had stalled proceedings, with the Russian-Israeli billionaire’s UK assets frozen.

Chelsea have been handed a new licence to continue operations however, and the Blues are still locked in negotiations with the government to ease restrictions.

But New York merchant the Raine Group has assessed the terms of the licence and agreed a route forward for the sale with the government.

Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on 2 March, pledging to write off the Blues’ £1.5billion debt and to divert all proceeds to a new foundation to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine.

The 55-year-old moved to sell Chelsea after 19 years at the Stamford Bridge helm, amid Russia’s continued war in Ukraine.

The government sanctioned Abramovich after claiming to have proved his direct links to Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime, although Chelsea’s owner has always denied any association.

The Raine Group’s progression of the sale means Chelsea’s suitors can again push forward with their bids to take control of the European and world champions of the club game.

Chelsea bidders given green light to press on as Roman Abramovich seeks sale

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

12:53 , Karl Matchett

Time for all the need-to-know details before the match - we’ve got you covered.

Team news, where to watch the game, match odds and plenty more can be found right here.

It’s a big game for both as they seek to put the focus of the world back on football matters, for a little while at least.

Is Chelsea vs Newcastle on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Chelsea vs Newcastle latest updates

12:48 , Karl Matchett

Let’s take a look at some on-pitch matters before the team news.

Recently it has been better for Chelsea in terms of results, with four straight league wins keeping them on the fringes of a title fight - they’ll still be 10 off City with victory today though, so consistency remains all-important.

After today’s game, they have a Champions League tie to close out too, holding a 2-0 first-leg lead over Lille.

As for Newcastle, fears of the drop have been massively reduced following an eight-match unbeaten streak, with six wins in the last seven. Three points would actually send them into 11th, which is a pretty incredible turnaround.

Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea exit offers rare chance to reimagine club ownership

12:40 , Karl Matchett

“As the news of Roman Abramovich’s sanctions properly sank in, many within the Chelsea squad were considering their futures. Some had purely financial and career concerns, but a few wondered how it reflected on them to even be tangentially connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Such questions have made elite football a grim enough exercise, but the last two weeks do show how the sport still has the capacity for searing moral lessons. More trivially, it also has the capacity for narratively perfect twists.

Just as the Chelsea situation has provoked a profound examination of football club ownership and the game’s relationship with geopolitics, the club’s very next opponents are Saudi Arabia’s Newcastle United.”

Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney explains how this fixture offers up the chance, and the need, to re-examine just how football clubs are owned, run and bought.

Roman Abramovich’s exit offers rare chance to reimagine club ownership

Roman Abramovich disqualified as director of Chelsea

12:32 , Karl Matchett

Roman Abramovich has been disqualified as a director of Chelsea, the Premier League have confirmed.

The UK government brought sanctions against the owner on Thursday over his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Despite Abramovich’s assets being frozen, Chelsea were handed a new licence to continue “football-related activities” and are in negotiations with the government to amend some aspects of it.

A statement from the league on Saturday read: “Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a director of Chelsea Football Club.

“The board’s decision does not impact on the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the government which expires on 31 May 2022.”

Roman Abramovich disqualified as director of Chelsea