Saturday 25th NovemberNewcastle United vs ChelseaSt. James' ParkKick-off 3pm GMT

Eddie Howe’s side return to competitive action this weekend targeting a fifth consecutive league win at St. James’ Park ahead of facing Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues and this will be the first time the Swindon-born official has officiated a game involving the Magpies this term.

The 41-year-old oversaw four of Newcastle’s Premier League fixtures during the 2022/23 campaign, refereeing the Magpies’ 2-0 opening day win against Nottingham Forest before taking charge of an ill-tempered stalemate against Leeds United on New Years’ Eve, handing out a total of eight yellow cards at St. James’ Park.

A Select Group 1 official since 2018, Hooper was the man in the middle for United’s 2-0 away defeat against champions Manchester City in February as well as the Magpies’ 2-2 draw away at Leeds United in April, awarding two penalties to the visitors which were both converted by Callum Wilson as well as sending off Leeds defender Junior Firpo.

In the nine games Hooper has officiated so far this term, he has handed 38 yellow cards along with two reds, sending off Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota in a controversial Premier League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in September.

2023/24 stats

Games (all competitions): 9Yellow cards issued: 38Red cards issued: 2

Assistants

Assistant referees: Adrian Holmes and Simon LongFourth official: Jeremy SimpsonVAR: John BrooksAssistant VAR: Neil Davies