Following their heroic point against Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend, Newcastle United host Chelsea at St James’ Park tomorrow full of confidence.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is under pressure and Alan Pardew’s men will be looking to add to that pressure with three points to cement Newcastle’s place in the top four.
Here are a few stats ahead of the encounter…
• Demba Ba scored again in 1-1 draw with Manchester United. That goal was his 9th of the season and shifted Ba up another place in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index to 7th.
• Simpson’s goal line clearance in that game been said to typify the difference Pardew has made to the team’s spirit and work rate. Simpson is now ranked 32nd in the Index, having made 16 clearances and won 22 tackles, 85% of those attempted, while also getting forward to deliver 29 crosses.
• Yohan Cabaye covered the most ground against United with 7.39 miles.
• Cabaye has covered 89.53 miles in total this season, the second highest total of any player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He is joined in the Index’s top performers by Ryan Taylor who has covered 88.96 miles, the 5th highest total.
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• Tim Krul was superb against Man United, and is now the third ranked goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League having made 65 saves so far this season.
• Andre Villas-Boas has identified December as crucial for Chelsea, and the trip to Newcastle will be a hard test for the Blues.
• Terry, Sturridge and Mata were all on target in Chelsea’s last Premier League outing, their 3-0 victory over Wolves.
• John Terry has now scored four goals so far this season, the only defender in the league to have done so, from nine attempts at goal.
• Sturridge’s goal was his sixth of the season. Those have come from 34 attempts at goal with 77% on target.
• Juan Mata’s goal was his third in a Chelsea shirt from 16 attempts at goal with 63% on target. Mata has also contributed an impressive six assists. Mata has also completed a pass in his opponent’s half every three minutes 23 seconds.
• Ashley Cole has covered a total of 89.04 miles so far this season, the fourth highest total of any player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League.
