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FIFA 18 simulation: FA Cup 4th round Newcastle United vs. Chelsea

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Willian of Chelsea in action during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on January 17, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Willian of Chelsea in action during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on January 17, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Before the real clubs play later today, we let FIFA 18 predict the FA Cup fixture between Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Newcastle United will take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge later today in the FA Cup fourth round. To give us a glimpse into how the action may go, we turn to a FIFA 18 simulation.

For Newcastle United’s lineup, we used a compilation of the four lineup predictions from our staff. The starting XI was a 4-4-2 featuring Karl Darlow, DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Christian Atsu, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Jacob Murphy, Ayoze Perez, and Joselu.

Chelsea’s lineup remained the same as their previous FA Cup fixture but replaced new Newcastle United man Kenedy with Victor Moses.

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Ayoze had the first dangerous moment of the match. Shelvey and Joselu worked a two-man game deep into the attacking area. The midfielder found Ayoze breaking into the penalty area and he got a touch on the ball, but then he was dispossessed as he lined up his shot.

Chelsea would capitalize on a chance minutes later. Danny Drinkwater had a shot stopped by a diving Karl Darlow, but Willian was there to easily knock home the rebound. A week after scoring his first Newcastle United goal, Jacob Murphy brought the club level in the 22nd minute. After a scramble in the penalty area for the ball, the winger collected it and curled a shot into the top-right corner.

Davide Stappacosta broke the tie before the half when he followed up on a Victor Moses shot that rang off the post. Thankfully for the traveling Toon Army, the lead wouldn’t hold. Joselu tapped home a corner kick in the 42nd minute. The score remained 2-2 entering halftime, with Chelsea leading in possession and shots.

The first substitute for Newcastle United came in the 57th minute, with Matt Ritchie replacing Atsu. Then, Mo Diame came on for Hayden and Dwight Gayle for Ayoze in a 68th minute double switch. Neither goalkeeper was tested until Willian forced Darlow into a lunging stop in the 72nd minute.

Unfortunately, this match ended without a winner, 2-2. Neither club will be excited about playing a replay.

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