Leicester 2-4 Newcastle: Magnificent Mags maul the Foxes to move 12 clear & up to 13th

A huge win and one of our displays of the season, as Paul Dummett’s first goal in five years, yet another strike from Joe Willock and a second half brace from Callum Wilson helped us to a well deserved three points at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes mounted a late comeback with goals in the final 10 minutes from Albrighton and Iheanacho, however it was too little too late from the home side as we came away with a massive 4-2 win.

The surprise result sends us 12 points clear of the drop zone – meaning Fulham must now win ALL of their final four games to stay up – and into 13th, being one of the best performances of the Bruce era before our late wobble.

After a pathetic display last weekend, this was everything we wanted to see. Quick thinking, energy, movement and real intent to not only commit bodies forward but be first to any loose balls and win our battles in every area of the pitch.

Bruce made TWO changes to the side that were on the beach in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, handing Joe Willock a well deserved start at Sean Longstaff’s expense and bringing Emil Krafth in for Ciaran Clark – a player only fit enough for the bench according to the NUFC boss.

Leicester brought Ricardo Pereira back into the side, but were forced into a late change in defence after Jonny Evans pulled up in the warm up.

The game kicked off and, as you’d expect, the home side dominated the ball in the opening exchanges, with Tielemans coming close to nodding in a Maddison cross before Almrion did brilliantly to head clear. We were all fearing an onslaught, but what followed was 15 minutes of constant NUFC pressure and a couple of huge chances.

First, Wilson won a free kick on the very edge of the box, resulting in a Ritchie free kick that was hit low and half cleared. He latched onto the loose ball and delivered a better cross at the second time of asking, but it just evaded Fernandez and was eventually cleared after Saint-Maximin was forced inside.

Another free kick was won moments later after Almiron was barged over by Fofana, this time down the left-hand side. Shelvey’s delivery was inviting and Fernandez rose highest – only for the Argentine’s header to glance just wide!

An encouraging start, but a few minutes later we missed a massive chance to take the lead. Murphy put Wilson through down the right, the striker raced clear and squared to Saint-Maximin. The goal was gaping, but his low shot was too close to Schmeichel who made himself big and blocked via an outstretched leg.

We looked in the mood, with Almiron more lively and Wilson a constant menace with his movement in behind, and were finally rewarded on the 20-minute mark. Soyuncu, who had started awfully, was caught in possession by an alert Joe Willock and the Arsenal loanee made no mistake after bursting through on goal, slotting a left-footed shot into the far corner!

FOUR goals in as many appearances for the 21-year-old, another ice cool finish and a well deserved lead for what had been a surprisingly bright start from a Newcastle perspective. 1-0!

Minutes later, it should’ve been 1-1. Soon after Maddison had a goal-bound volley blocked, a Tielemans set piece was met by Fofana. I was expecting the net to bulge, but his powerful header was too close to Dubravka and the Slovakian parried before Shelvey hoofed clear. A lucky escape, but it wasn’t long until we were back on the break and getting in behind a ragged-looking Leicester back five.

After Almiron was denied a penalty via a risky lunge from Castagne that was checked by VAR, Willock won us a corner after some trickery forced a rattled Soyuncu to put the ball behind.

Ritchie took the resulting corner and his delivery was an inviting one. As it floated towards the back post, Dummett wanted it more than Fofana and powered a close-range header past Schmeichel and into the roof of the net!

2-0 Newcastle, no less than we deserved and the local lad’s first goal for the club since January 2016!

Keep this up and we’d end the night 12 points clear of Fulham and within touching distance of safety, however this was far from over with an hour still remaining against the league’s 3rd place side.

Leicester responded with a big chance of their own almost immediately as Iheanacho got his first glimpse of goal. The in-form Nigerian struck his volley well from a Maddison cross, but once again it was too close to Dubravka and quickly cleared.

With minutes to play until half-time, Vardy snuck beyond our back three and was met by an oncoming Dubravka. He looked to lob the onrushing stopper and very nearly did, only for our quick-thinking Slovakian to react smartly and cut out the danger.

The whistle blew after a minute of added on time and we went in 2-0 up after dare I say the best 45 minutes of football we’ve seen under Steve Bruce.

The job was only half done, however. We had to resist the urge to sit deep, protect our lead and give Leicester the confidence boost their dismal display was crying out for – especially when their defence looked like conceding every time Wilson, Willock, Almiron or ASM ran at them!

After coming through the first 10 minutes of the second half, two half chances arrived for the home side. First a Maddison free kick was deflected wide, and then the resultant corner was headed just past Dubravka’s far post by Ndidi.

Krafth went into the book 57 minutes in for a poorly timed lunge on Vardy, but the free kick that followed came to nothing as we were first to the cross and quicker to the loose ball to boot clear.

Half and hour remaining and it was so far so good. We’d dropped a few yards deeper and were seeing less of the ball, however the home side were yet to find their rhythm and feeding off scraps.

Rodgers had seen enough and brought on ex-Mag Ayoze Perez for a defensive midfielder in Ndidi, but a few minutes later and it was game over.

Ritchie curled a brilliant low ball in behind and Wilson knew he was in if he could beat Castagne for pace. He did exactly that, breaking clear of the Belgian and rounding Schmeichel before prodding home to make it 3-0!

Wilson’s first goal since returning from a hamstring tear, his 11th of the season and a nerve-settling strike that sent NUFC fans into dreamland as we watched on in shock from our sofas. Considering the strength of the opposition, our injuries at the back and that awful display we witnessed less than week ago, we were on course for one hell of a result!

If 3-0 wasn’t ridiculous enough, Wilson helped himself to another 74 minutes in! Almiron played a big part this time, with his defence splitting pass putting the striker in behind. His initial effort hit the inside of the post and pinged back across goal, however he reacted incredibly to fire in from a tight angle on the follow up. 4-0!!

The outstanding Willock was replaced a few minutes later by Sean Longstaff, with that change soon followed by a consolation goal for Albrighton. Dubravka deserved a clear sheet but was beaten by a brilliant strike here, making the scoreline 4-1 with 10 minutes remaining.

Joelinton came on for Saint-Maximin on the 83rd minute mark and soon after that the home side pulled another goal back, this time through a superb finish from who else but Kelechi Iheanacho.

It shouldn’t have been nervy when we were still two goals up with 88 minutes, but we all know that Newcastle United never do things the easy way in the end!

With four minutes added on and the Foxes now flooding forward, a huge chance landed at Ayoze Perez’s feet in the opening moments of extra time. The Spaniard looked set to make it 4-3 after latching onto a loose ball, but saw his close range shot smothered quite brilliantly by Dubravka!

A big sigh of relief spread across living rooms around Tyneside and we hung on to secure a well deserved 4-2 win!

12 points clear of the drop zone, up to 13th, yet another goal for Willock and a hard fought brace for Wilson – a man who ran Leicester’s defence ragged from start to finish.

Next up, a meeting with Manchester City at St James’ Park on Friday 14th May!

HWTL.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

100 thoughts on “Leicester 2-4 Newcastle: Magnificent Mags maul the Foxes to move 12 clear & up to 13th

  1. I seriously thought Leicester had blown it with their result to us and that the Red Bindippers would steal it.

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  2. Back to Bruce on Talkshyte though. It really does show what a snarky little tw@t he is. All this stuff about him being Mr Nice Guy. He shows his true colours at NUFC and not on the golf course where his pundit pals see him.

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  3. Spurs have “apologized unreservedly” for their involvemnet in the European Super League.

    Daniel Levy said he “didnt fancy her anyway”. And added that neither did John W Henry as he only goes for birds 30 years his junior.

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  4. And what is this Ramadan shyte the PL are up to letting players get tea breaks during a game because they have been fasting for some nonsensical religious reason? I am a Satanist and I am sure they wouldnt let me have a 2 minute break to eat babies during the game.

    Double standards!

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  5. Sharpy17: Cracking post mate, and you’re right about Bruce.I said yesterday I don’t hate the bloke, I just don’t rate him as a manager.He’s kept us up, though I think that’s as much to do with the bottom 3 clubs being awful like.But I’d expect him to get over the 40pts mark (just) & im guessing that would have been his target.

    You’re right as well, if it wasn’t Bruce it would only be a Hughes or Pullis or someone like that, so it might as well be him .

    Disappointing but we have to accept it until a takeover can happen I suppose.

    Hope you’re keeping well anyway buddy

    Cheers Sharpy. I’m not bad mate, busy as usual but checking in on e in a while and following the comments by you guys and girls. Some of is have been chatting on the tinterweb on and off for well over a decade. Mad!

    And someone like Hughes is exactly what I’d expect through the door if Bruce went. What’s the point ?

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  6. Sham – I know mate, it must be something like 13-14 years for me ?? and the likes of Ice & KIm were already fully established posters on the site then.
    It’s the only site I post on or pay any attention to really & it’s down to the people imo. There’s a lot who don’t post anymore who are a miss, but hopefully if the good times at NUFC return, so will they ??.

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  7. Sharpy17:
    Sham – I know mate, it must be something like 13-14 years for me and the likes of Ice & KIm were already fully established posters on the site then.
    It’s the only site I post on or pay any attention to really & it’s down to the people imo.There’s a lot who don’t post anymore who are a miss, but hopefully if the good times at NUFC return, so will they .

    there is a lot of bloggers missing now why i dont really know,iknow a couple have died ime sorry to say is it because Toonsy left the site i just comment now and again but i enjoy you and Eric having a bit banter,maybe if takeover happens which i think will happen it will take off again,hope you and yours are well and the dog as well lol

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  8. icedog: there is a lot of bloggers missing now why i dontreally know,iknow a couple have died ime sorry to say is it because Toonsy left the site i just comment now and again but i enjoy you and Eric having a bit banter,maybe if takeover happens which i think will happen it will take off again,hope you and yours are well and the dog as well lol

    Cheers Ice. Aye the boy wasn’t even born when I started posting & hes 12 now. He’s just made the school rugby team so had to go buy his first pair of boots last night – I think I was more excited than him!! ?
    His teacher wants him as CB in the footy team too but he’s got no interest in footy yet – the toon curse again I reckon ?.
    The dogs good mate, getting older now & managing on 1 eye but wouldn’t swap him.

    Have you got to see much of Pup mate?. It must have been tough him moving back from Malta but with this virus still not being able to meet up. Have you got plans to get together soon?

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  9. Going to Maine in 3 minutes. I have no idea why. Had to get out of Chicago which is flatter than my ex-wife’ s chest, So, coastal, rocky like the NE coast.

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  10. You go to some odd places mate. Maine?

    Ice, Sharpy, I’ve been on just as long and not sure what’s caused the decline in posters. Probably the decline in football standards in Toon. Ashley, Charnley and now bloody Bruce. A lot would come back if the football ever got exciting again.

    The first person I ever “duelled” with died I think. Wasn’t Bowburnmag but Ice knew him.

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  11. SHARPY pleased all well with you,Rugby is it maybe he will come round rough and ready game that is it lge or union?,lge i like not keen on union
    havent seen pup for good while he wants to come down when its allowed,hes looking to rent something for a week not far away as there is five of them now plus a dog lol
    can recall when your dog was just a pup god the times flys,all down hill after 21yrs lol

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  12. georgio:
    I see my comments have disappeared again!

    when you comment refresh the page straight away i find it works for some reason

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  13. georgio:
    Ice – just remembered it was Batty!

    Ah yeah Batty RIP.

    My lad was not born either when I started posting here and is also 12 In a couple of weeks!

    There’s a nice core left here thankfully, which keeps the place likeable despite the barrage of adverts. Olly does a decent job with his write ups to be fair.

    Would be nice to have a few of the old troupe back here though. Big Dave is a miss, Solano’s Trumpet, Woolfie (the mad ******! ) Rodzilla’s late night random snippets (thankfully we have Eric to plug the gap there!), Who were the brothers at each others throats half the time? ? Many more who’s names who escape me.

    Perhaps a miracle will happen this summer and this arbitration panel will set the wheels in motion for the Saudi takeover again, but let’s not hold our breath!

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  14. Why did Bruce go on Talksport? He has to know they are a bunch of babbling idiots. Do you think Pep or Klopp would give them the time of day?

    Then he starts spouting inflammatory things.

    He was a total d1ck to Craig Hope.

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  15. Actually I do know why Bruce went on Talksport. He is guaranteed a friendly host. He only ever takes a couple questions at his press conferences.

    Matt Ritchie never said a truer word. Bruce IS a coward.

    Bruce said what he said because he knew he wouldn’t be challenged on it. Didn’t he skip out on Simon Jordan at Palace?

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  16. I think The Chronic realized we are stuck with Bruce and are trying to build bridges. Ryder is spouting the Bruce line that we only have 2 losses in the last 10. He also picked us to draw against City. That’s gutsy especially since Toon Slayer Aguero will probably play.

    He said we played well against Wham. Yeah, for 35 mins. They did everything they could to gift us that game.

    I really enjoyed the Leicester game but that is not the norm. Trying not to too negative but I think Wor Lee is forgetting Wilson is out.

    Even playing well we only had 31 percent possession against Leicester. Will we out of the teens tomorrow?

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  17. I don’t want to be totally negative on Bruce but he gives you so much ammunition. He has selective amnesia and he even contradicts himself in the same press conference. I am sure he must think his statements are not reported because he is so easy to catch in a lie.

    How often has he walked back statements he has made? A lot! You have believe him the first time because that is what he really thinks. Then he gets a bit of criticism and pretends he didn’t mean it like it came out. Don’t go on Talksport then! But you are a coward and you know you will get softball questions.

    An instead of banning journalists how about answering the questions they raise. I have seen Klopp get tetchy with journos but he stands his corner and I highly doubt he would ban any unless they really overstepped. Bruce has not even denied that what Craig Hope said was true.

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  18. Regarding our striker problem, here’s what I would do.

    Adam Armstrong is valued around £20m by Bburn, but we have a 40% sell on clause.

    I’d give them £10m and loan them Gayle for the season. He’s not scoring goals for us so may as well cover Armaz for Bburn and we take a low risk, low cost punt on Armstrong who is only 24 so if it pays off has a plenty time ahead of him ??

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  19. Would you rather have Arma or Toney? Toney would cost more but he maybe has more to his play ahead of Arma. Don’t know myself. Knowing Ashley it will be neither. He really doesn’t mind 17th place finishes.

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  20. I see no reason why we could not take both Arms and Toney. Like Sharpy said, loan Gayle to one of those sides or include him in a swap deal, even better. Net layout £25m? Arma can be used out wide too.pretty safe bet I think when you look at the money wasted on Jo. Would have some decent depth up front then. Loan Jo out because we won’t get him off the books in a permanent deal. He is not worth the fee or wages we paid for him.

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