Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas (left) makes a challenge on Tottenham Hotspur’s Nabil Bentaleb during their midweek game.

Chelsea are firmly in charge of this season’s Premier League title race after they bounced back from last weekend’s goalless draw at Sunderland to beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

This afternoon, the Blues will be looking to extend their winning run when they travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle.

Manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed talk of complacency among his players in wake of the goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

The Portuguese was delighted to see forwards Didier Drogba and Loic Remy put their name on the scoresheet against Tottenham in the absence of Diego Costa, suspended.

Today, the Spanish striker is likely to lead Chelsea’s charge at Tyneside.

After a formidable run of five straight wins, during which they conceded just one goal, Newcastle have lost their momentum after going down at West Ham and drawing at Burnley in midweek.

The Toon are currently facing an injury crisis with goalkeeper Tim Krul the latest to join the casualty list after being ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury.

In the past 10 Premier League matches at St James’ Park, the home side won four to their opponents’ three.

2013: Newcastle-Chelsea 2-0
2013: Newcastle-Chelsea 3-2
2011: Newcastle-Chelsea 0-3
2010: Newcastle-Chelsea 1-1
2009: Newcastle-Chelsea 0-2
2008: Newcastle-Chelsea 0-2
2007: Newcastle-Chelsea 0-0
2006: Newcastle-Chelsea 1-0
2005: Newcastle-Chelsea 1-1
2004: Newcastle-Chelsea 2-1

Manchester City are fast emerging as Chelsea’s major challengers for the title after impressive victories over Southampton (3-0) and Sunderland (4-1) lifted the reigning champions to second in the standings, six points off the top.

This afternoon, the Citizens return to home comfort as they host Everton.

Encouraged by his team’s performances of late, City manager Manuel Pellegrini has warned Chelsea that the title race was far from over.

Everton travel to Eastlands keen to make up for their poor results of late which saw them lose 2-1 at Tottenham and then share the spoils with Hull at Goodison Park.

Southampton lost their fourth Premier League match of the season after going down 1-0 to Arsenal.

On Monday, the Saints have another tough assignment when they host Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium.

United are in good form as they are on a run of four successive victories with their latest success coming against Stoke 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have picked up their form lately after back-to-back victories away to West Brom and at home to Southampton.

This afternoon, the Gunners meet a Stoke side who were unlucky to come out empty-handed from their trips to Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool will also hope to make it three wins in a row when they play hosts to Sunderland this afternoon.

Steven Gerrard is currently considering Liverpool’s offer to extend his contract as the Reds hierarchy want their captain to end his career at Anfield.

Tottenham Hotspur will be engaged in a London derby against Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

Roberto Soldado scored his first Premier League goal in almost 10 hours to give Tottenham a 2-1 victory against Everton.

After returning to winning form against Newcastle, West Ham won again at West Brom. Tomorrow they play at home to Swansea.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League
Hull-West Brom - X
Liverpool-Sunderland - 1
Man. City-Everton (18.30) - 1
Newcastle-Chelsea (13.45) - 2
Queens Park Rangers-Burnley - 1
Stoke-Arsenal - 2
Tottenham-Crystal Palace - 1

Tomorrow:
Aston Villa-Leicester (17.00) - X
West Ham-Swansea (14.30) - 1

Monday:
S’thampton-Man. United (21.00) - 2

Standings: Chelsea 36; Man. City 30; Southampton 26; Man. United 25; West Ham 24; Arsenal 23; Swansea 22; Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham 20; Everton 18; Aston Villa 16; Stoke 15; Sunderland 14; C. Palace, West Brom 13; Hull, Burnley 12; QPR 11; Leicester 10.

The Championship
Blackburn-Sheffield Wed. - 1
Blackpool-Birmingham - X 
Cardiff-Rotherham - 1 
Derby-Brighton - 1
Huddersfield-Brentford - X
Ipswich-Leeds - 1
Millwall-Middlesbrough - X
Nottm Forest-Charlton - 1
Reading-Bolton - 1
Wigan –Norwich - X
Wolves-Bournemouth - X

League Two
Exeter-Burton - X

FA Cup (second round)
Accrington-Yeovil - 2
Bury-Luton - 1
Cambridge vs Mansfield - 2
MK Dons-Chesterfield - 1
Oldham-Doncaster - 1
Oxford-Tranmere - 1
Preston-Shrewsbury - 1
Sheffield Utd-Plymouth - 1
Wrexham-Maidstone (18.30) - 1

Tomorrow (15:00)
Aldershot-Rochdale - 2
Barnsley-Chester - 1
Bradford-Dartford - 1
Bristol City-Telford - 1
Cheltenham-Dover - 1
Colchester-Peterborough (17.30) - 2
Gateshead-Warrington (13.00) - 1
Scunthorpe-Worcester (14.00) - 1
Southport-Eastleigh - 1
Wycombe-Wimbledon - 1

Hot four
Liverpool, Man. City, QPR, Tottenham.