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11th November 2022
10:08am GMT
Chelsea are perhaps over their honeymoon stage with new manager Graham Potter, as they have dropped points in recent games after a great start under their new boss.
Such a change in standings means that past fixtures are little to go by, when predicting this weekend's result, but one thing that this tie has always had the potential to do, is turn into a goal fest.
An injury-time goal from Shola Ameobi gave Newcastle an extraordinary win at Chelsea in an end to end Carling Cup third-round encounter - also, remember when it was called the Carling Cup?
Anyway, this was an incredible game, made more exciting by the fact that Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea side were undefeated up until this point of the season.
Although they did field somewhat of a weaker side for this tie, they still had the 'Incredible Sulk' Nicolas Anelka, who bagged two goals himself, including a penalty to make things all square in the 87th minute.
However, it was to be Newcastle and in particular, Ameobi's day, as it was his brace of goals that resulted in the Magpies going through to the next round.
In hindsight, this was a great result for the Toon, however when you consider the fact that they were initially 2-0 up, then you can't help but feel they wasted a rare opportunity here.
Steve McCLaren's job as Newcastle boss was on the brink, after losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup, but a positive result would manage to turn the mood around.
Ayoze Perez got their first goal, just before half time, and then Gini Wijnaldum got a second on the hour mark, and it looked like Jose Mourinho's side were done for.
However, Ramires reduced the deficit to one with a thunderous strike before Willian levelled things up for the Londoners, and they managed to escape with a point. McClaren lasted six more months before being replaced by Rafa Benitez.
This was during Guus Hiddink's second temporary reign in charge of Chelsea, and they looked to be in flying form as they dismantled Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
A prime Diego Costa was tormenting defenders in the Premier League at the time, and he only took five minutes to get on the scoresheet, quickly followed by a Willian goal, and then a Pedro brace.
Pedro was signed from Barcelona with a huge reputation - a World Cup winner, treble winer, and a key part of the great Pep Guardiola team that dominated Europe - and although he didn't quite reach those expectations in London, this was a game where he showed his class.
Traore got the fifth goal, and a late Andros Townsend strike proved to be nothing but a consolation prize for the northern side.
Newcastle versus Chelsea is one of five Premier League games available to stream this weekend with a NOW Sports Membership and a NOW Sports Extra Membership.
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