Chelsea v Newcastle: Two Changes

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At Stamford Bridge

Alan Pardew has made two changes to his Newcastle United starting line-up as they travel to high-flying Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.

The Magpies suffered a disappointing 3-0 home Tyne-Wear derby defeat against Sunderland last weekend, and manager Pardew has responded by handing January arrival Luuk de Jong his full debut and Academy graduate Paul Dummett a spot at left-back.

The pair replace Cheick Tiote, who is injured, and Shola Ameobi, who drops down to the substitutes' bench.

United will take to the pitch at Stamford Bridge in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Tim Krul behind a back four of Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor and Dummett.

Davide Santon has been given a new role from his normal full-back position, and will be asked to anchor the visitors' midfield alongside Vurnon Anita.

In front of them will be Hatem Ben Arfa, stand-in skipper Moussa Sissoko in the number ten role, and Sammy Ameobi, while de Jong will lead the line on his own, less than a fortnight after his loan capture from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Joining Shola Ameobi on the bench are 16-year-old Adam Armstrong, Sylvain Marveaux, Dan Gosling, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara and Rob Elliot.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta; Nemanja Matic, Frank Lampard (c); Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard; Samuel Eto'o.

Substitutes: Mark Schwarzer, Ashley Cole, John Mikel Obi, Ramires, Andre Schurrle, Mohamed Salah, Demba Ba

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett; Vurnon Anita, Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko (c), Sammy Ameobi; Luuk de Jong

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Adam Armstrong

Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)