Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates from the 3pm games featuring Chelsea vs Sunderland and Newcastle vs Fulham

Having Sandro Tonali in the middle of the park is a big difference-maker for the Magpies.

His composure, range of passing, and ability to carry the ball - as well as chip in defensively - make him a key component of the team, and that's why they recently tied him down until 2029. He has started every game this season and only come off in two of them.

But he could sit this one out, as Howe explained: 'I think everyone came through the game okay. Sandro is still the player we are monitoring; he did train but wasn’t feeling 100%, he will be touch and go.'

Newcastle's form against Fulham last season makes for bleak reading: a 3-1 loss away and a 2-1 defeat at home, courtesy of a late goal.

So first of all there's that mental block to overcome, but then Eddie Howe also pointed out that coming back from a Champions League high can be a challenge.

They've taken four points from their two games directly following European assignments this season, so it doesn't seem like a huge issue so far.

Howe said: 'We know the qualities of their team and this will be a difficult game for us.

'When you go from the high emotion of the Champions League back to the afternoon kick-offs in the Premier League, it is a big mental challenge.

'We have to rise to that and grow from the experiences we've had previously.'

Are Sunderland fans dreaming of... Europe?

Surely it's too early, but the way Regis Le Bris has this concoction of new and old playing, you wouldn't put much past them.

The Wearsiders are seventh with 14 points after eight games. Only six newly promoted teams in Premier League history have had a better start - and none since Wolves seven years ago. Wolves kicked on and made something special for a while under Nuno Espirito Santo. Could Sunderland?

Fulham's travels haven't treated them kindly this campaign - one draw and three defeats on the spin, with nine goals conceded.

Marco Silva's side could well be looking over their shoulders if they on't have a good run before the next international break. If we're expecting Nottingham Forest and West Ham to have a bounce under their new bosses, that gap to the bottom three could tighten. And it only stands at three points as we speak.

I think the fact that Newcastle are 15th has gone under the radar a bit.

This start to the season has been poor, in the league at least. Of course, the disruption from the Alexander Isak saga didn't help, but they've recruited well.

They beat Jose Mourinho's Benfica 3-0 in midweek, featuring an epic throw from Nick Pope, and Eddie Howe will hope that has them in the mood for more goalscoring.