Any fears Eddie Howe’s Mags would return from the World Cup break below our best were answered in style today, as Newcastle United beat Leicester with ease in a brilliant Boxing Day display.
Goals from Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron (who else?!) and Joelinton sent us into the break 3-0 up and a professional second half display followed, helping us to our SEVENTH straight win in all competitions.
With Man City not playing until Wednesday, the win sends us up to SECOND in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leeds at St James’ Park.
Considering the double blow we were dealt prior to kick off – Callum Wilson was missing through ‘illness’ and Jonjo Shelvey out for up to eight weeks with a calf injury – we made a stunning start.
Within two minutes, Joelinton went down under a clumsy challenge from Amartey and Chris Wood made no mistake from the spot, smashing straight down the middle to hand us an early lead. No Wilson? No problem.
Penalty aside, it was clear from the off that we meant business and were intent on picking up from where we left in the Premier League, and it was soon 2-0 as a stunning give-and-go between Bruno and Almiron ended with yet another ice cool finish from our smiling assassin. Eddie’s entertainers were back!
The 3,000 plus inside the King Power Stadium were in tremendous voice and things only got louder when Joelinton headed home a Kieran Trippier corner! 3-0 Newcastle and we’d only just reached the half hour mark.
Leicester had one or two chances between our second and third goal – Daka almost skipped past Nick Pope after bursting clear – but our relentless pressing, blistering counter attacks, pinpoint passing and relentless finishing left us great value for our lead.
We came out for the second half with a similar intensity and had a half-chance to make it four, as a loose ball was blasted over by big Sven Botman. Leicester had brought on Jamie Vardy, but our work off the ball showed no sign of easing up, making it so difficult for the Foxes to play out from the back or gain any real foothold in the game. The hosts just couldn’t get out of their own half, as a wall of black and white bodies constantly pestered and probed.
Wood was doing a great job up top, tracking back brilliantly, winning flick-ons and linking the play nicely to allow the likes of Almiron, Willock and Joelinton to burst beyond him. He has his limitations and remains our third choice striker, but we must credit the role he’s played in our last three league wins over Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester.
We survived two close shaves – Vardy’s cross only just missed Barnes and a Botman clearance almost went in off Burn. However, we looked far more like scoring than conceding a consolation to Leicester, as a blocked effort from Almiron and series of dangerous Kieran Trippier crosses went close.
As Leicester fans left early, Bruno was lapping it up in front of the 3,000 travelling Toon Army, giving it the big one after coming out on top in yet another duel. The Brazilian was back to his stunning best today, showing that incredible blend of class in tight spaces, creativity and competitiveness off the ball.
Even Matt Ritchie came on in the closing stages, with Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson also featuring in a game that was won in the first-half, if the truth be told.
Another memorable away day and well-deserved win to keep the momentum going ahead of a busy run of fixtures over the coming month.
Next up, a home clash with Leeds at St James’ Park. Bring it on!
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Joelinton.
SUBS: Darlow, Lascelles, Targett, Manquillo, Ritchie*, Fraser, Anderson*, Murphy*, Saint-Maximin*.
