Premier League official decision ahead of Newcastle v Chelsea – Positive big match outlook | OneFootball

A Newcastle United release (see below) on Wednesday, has revealed the key match official that the Premier League have chosen to referee Newcastle v Chelsea on Sunday.

A referee who has already officiated in some very big moments in this Newcastle United season so far.

John Brooks refereed the Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (see image above) match in November 2024, then doubled up with another positive match outcome against the Gunners in January, as United won 2-0 at the Emirates in the semi-final first leg. That game setting us on our way to Wembley.

John Brooks then completing the job, when at Wembley on 16 March 2025, he was again the man in charge, as United lifted their first domestic silverware in 70 years.

Hopefully a good omen ahead of Sunday, as Newcastle United look to take a massive step towards Champions League qualification.

I know that he ruled out a second goal for Newcastle United when Bruno Guimaraes deemed to have been blocking the keeper’s view when in an offside position, but within a minute or so, that second and ultimately winning goal arrived anyway.

The sign of a good referee is usually said to be if you don’t notice them and I can’t say much, if anything, really stands out in a negative way from these big Newcastle United matches that John Brooks has reffed this season.

I stark contrast to some we have had recently, such as Craig Pawson on Sunday. Who bottled it when he should have awarded a second yellow and sent off Brighton player Wieffer for a reckless challenge on Tonali, quite clearly Pawson choosing not to book the player as he knew that would mean a red as well. Also, on the second non-penalty award when it was decided the contact was just outside the box, how on earth was Lamptey not booked for bringing down Anthony Gordon as he was running into the penalty area and a clear chance on goal?

Newcastle United official release – 7 May 2025:

‘John Brooks will be the referee for Newcastle United’s penultimate Premier League home fixture of the 2024/25 against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Eddie Howe’s side target a fourth competitive victory against the Blues at St. James’ Park this weekend, with both clubs currently situated on 63 points in the Premier League table, and this will be the fourth time Brooks has officiated a fixture involving the Magpies this season.

Brooks, promoted to the FIFA list of international referees in 2023, took charge of United’s 1-0 home win against Arsenal in November and showed a total of eight yellow cards that afternoon, booking Nick Pope, Fabian Schär, Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali.

The Leicestershire official then oversaw Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win against the Gunners in January and booked four players at the Emirates Stadium, including Magpies trio Tino Livramento, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.

Appointed to referee this year’s Carabao Cup final, Brooks was the man in the middle for Newcastle’s 2-1 triumph against Liverpool and brandished three yellow cards at Wembley Stadium, booking Pope and Tonali.