Newcastle United head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Monday night, in what will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season.
And it will also be the third Newcastle United match that referee John Brooks has taken charge of this season, as the Magpies look for revenge for what happened in the Carabao Cup back in December.
Eddie Howe‘s side lost on penalties that night, with a couple of Kieran Trippier errors costing Newcastle United dearly.
That game brings back horrible memories for Toon fans, and those making the journey to West London will hope that this fixture against the Blues has a happier ending.
As for John Brooks, he will be hoping for a quiet night as referee.
Third time this season John Brooks has refereed Newcastle United
This will be the third time that Brooks has taken charge of a Newcastle game this season. The most recent was the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Aston Villa last month. That was a relatively drama-free night for the official, as Howe’s side coasted to an incredibly impressive away victory.
But the other time that Brooks refereed Newcastle this season was far less straightforward, as he took charge of the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park back in August.
Newcastle threw away a 1-0 lead that day, with 10-man Liverpool producing a dramatic comeback courtesy of a Darwin Nunez brace.
Howe’s side only had themselves to blame, but the start of the game was dominated by some huge refereeing decisions. Virgil van Dijk was sent off for stopping Alexander Isak running through on goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was also lucky to avoid red.
The England international received an early yellow card for dissent, and then gave Brooks another chance to book him again just moments later.
Alexander-Arnold cynically took out Anthony Gordon, much to the anger of Howe. He burst out of his technical area to protest, but the referee opted against booking the defender again.
After the game, Howe told the Chronicle: “You don’t want to see players get sent off but I thought the ref got that one wrong.”
Hopefully there is no similar drama tonight, as Newcastle go in search of three points that will take them up to seventh in the Premier League.
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