Latest News
Kavanagh to referee Hammers clash
Written by Tom Easterby
Chris Kavanagh will referee his third Newcastle United game of the season when the Magpies travel to West Ham United on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
The 34-year-old has been tasked with keeping order in United’s Premier League clash with the Hammers at the London Stadium, where they won 3-2 last season in what was the Magpies’ first-ever visit to the stadium.
Manchester-born Kavanagh oversaw the goalless draw at Southampton in October 2018 – showing a yellow card to Christian Atsu at St. Mary’s – and was also in the middle for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in January, when he booked both Matt Ritchie and Jorginho.
Since the start of the campaign, Kavanagh – who has been a top flight referee since April 2017, a few months before his promotion to the Select Group of Referees – has taken charge of games in the Premier League, Championship, League One, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. In those 21 outings, he has shown a total of 65 yellow cards but just one red. He dismissed Leicester City’s James Maddison in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw at Brighton in November.
Kavanagh will be assisted by Daniel Cook and Simon Bennett in the capital on Saturday, while Graham Scott – who refereed United’s last away league game, the 1-1 draw at Wolves in February – will be the fourth official.