Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas insists Newcastle must now be regarded as one of the country’s top sides.
The Magpies face Villas-Boas’ struggling team on Saturday looking to extend a great run of form that has seen them lose only one Premier League game this season.
A victory for Chelsea would end fourth-placed Newcastle’s unbeaten home record and take the Blues above them in the table.
“They’ve been on a good run and gained confidence from that,” said Villas-Boas.
“It’s a major football club which finds itself in an excellent position. They are fully motivated so it will be an excellent challenge for us.”
Chelsea will also be looking to improve their dismal record against top-seven sides this season.
Defeats against Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have increased the pressure on Villas-Boas, who admitted: “Our form against the top teams has not been good enough. It’s a fact.
“But, to be fair, of the top [seven] teams in the table, we still have to play three of them.”
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This post was last modified on 03/12/2011
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Thank you for amending it to "fourth-placed Newcastle". Get ready to amend it to "Third-placed Newcastle" at about 2:30 on Saturday.
...And back again 2 hours later!
All chelsea fans welcome in newcastle bars, makes for a cracking atmosphere before the game. please bring your scarves for the Speedo tribute. Enjoy
Oy! We're 4th!
St James Park sold out for your visit on Saturday so should be a great atmosphere, and please bring your Chelsea scarves for the Gary Speed tribute.
Welcome to the Toon!
Chelsea fans very welcome in our pubs near the ground for a beer or three!
pubs open early on match days.
52,000 screaming, drunken Geordies await you Mr Villas-Boas, and i'm afraid John Terry will get some stick! all in good humour!
From a United perspective, I don't think we could have picked a better time to play Chelsea, as their defence seems to be all over the place at the moment.
And we should have Chiek Tiote back too!
Should be a good game.
And 50,000 Hostile Georides to add to our woes.....