Premier League football returns to St James’ Park on Saturday as Newcastle United take on Chelsea at 3pm. The Magpies will be aiming to get back to winning ways after their disappointing loss to Bournemouth before the international break, with the Blues aiming to push on after their thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City.
Simon Hooper has been appointed as the referee for Newcastle vs Chelsea and he will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long, while Jeremy Simpson will act as fourth official. Var duties will to John Brooks and Neil Davies.
Newcastle Vs Chelsea Referee And Premier League Match Officials
(Saturday 25th November 2023)
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- Assistants: Adrian Holmes and Simon Long
- Fourth Official: Jeremy Simpson
- VAR Officials: John Brooks and Neil Davies (assist)
Has Simon Hooper Refereed Newcastle Or Chelsea This Season?
Simon Hooper is yet to officiate a Newcastle United game this season – in the Premier League or EFL Cup – but he has taken charge of a Chelsea fixture. Hooper was the referee when the Blues succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to west London rivals Brentford in October.
Hooper awarded five yellow cards that day but only one was shown to a Chelsea player; club-record signing Moises Caicedo after 78 minutes.
Ahead of the match, the best UK betting sites make Newcastle the match favourites at 31/20, with the draw 5/2 and Chelsea at 37/20.
Simon Hooper will referee Newcastle vs Chelsea 🚨🗣 pic.twitter.com/dAOQ5eG55k
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) November 21, 2023
Simon Hooper Premier League Referee Stats 2023/24
Simon Hooper has taken charge of six Premier League games this season with his latest coming just before the international break, Aston Villa‘s 3-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park.
In terms of cards, Hooper has shown 30 yellows and two reds so far this season. His busiest game came in the infamous Tottenham vs Liverpool clash back in September, whereby Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were both given their marching orders.
Simon Hooper Premier League Stats Summary 2023/24
- Matches: 6
- Red Cards: 2
- Yellow Cards: 30
- Penalties: 0
Premier League VAR Controversies 2023/24
As earlier mentioned, Simon Hooper was the man in charge during the Tottenham vs Liverpool game in September, which saw a huge number of talking points and perhaps the biggest VAR controversy ever witnessed in the Premier League.
Not only were the Reds compromised with the two red cards shown to Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside in the first-half when replays showed he was clearly onside.
It was later revealed that VAR had made an error with the check and the Colombian’s strike was ruled out, much to the dismay of boss Jurgen Klopp.
Hooper will want an incident-free game as he referee’s Newcastle vs Chelsea on Saturday at St James’ Park, but the VAR controversy from earlier in the season will stay with him for a while yet.
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