Newcastle vs Leicester City Report

Scorers: Murphy 30’, 60’, Guimaraes 47’, Isak 50’

Newcastle United delivered a commanding performance to thrash Leicester City 4-0 at St. James’ Park, ending their four-match Premier League winless run and climbing within two points of the European spots.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s unbeaten start as Leicester manager was brought to an emphatic end, with the Foxes left languishing near the relegation zone.

First Half: Newcastle’s Persistence Pays Off

Newcastle approached the game with intensity, clearly determined to end their recent slump. Anthony Gordon was the key protagonist early on, forcing a superb save from Leicester’s goalkeeper Mads Hermansen with a powerful strike bound for the top corner.

From the resulting corner, Dan Burn narrowly headed over the bar, a sign of the pressure the hosts were building.

Leicester, pinned back in their own half for much of the opening exchanges, struggled to mount any meaningful attacks, leaving Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimarães to dictate the game in midfield. After 30 minutes of probing, Newcastle’s dominance finally bore fruit.

Gordon, a constant thorn in Leicester’s defence, surged down the left flank and delivered a precise cutback for Jacob Murphy, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.

The Magpies could have extended their lead just before the break when Alexander Isak broke free one-on-one, but the Swedish forward’s tame finish was comfortably saved by Hermansen, ensuring Leicester went into the interval with only a one-goal deficit.

Second Half: Newcastle Turn on the Style

Leicester’s hopes of a second-half resurgence were dashed almost immediately after the restart. Following a well-executed set-piece, Bruno Guimarães rose highest at the back post to nod in Newcastle’s second goal, just two minutes into the half.

Moments later, Hermansen was replaced by Danny Ward due to injury, and the substitute goalkeeper had little time to settle before being beaten again.

Newcastle’s third came from a deflected cross by Lewis Hall, with Isak perfectly positioned at the back post to convert. The Swedish striker continued to wreak havoc, creating Newcastle’s fourth goal with a dazzling solo run that set up Murphy for his second of the evening.

This time, Murphy made no mistake, hammering home from close range after excellent work from Isak.

Eddie Howe’s men refused to relent, relentlessly pushing for a fifth, with Isak and Sean Longstaff both coming close. Leicester, on the other hand, struggled to create any meaningful chances and were thoroughly outclassed across the pitch.

What This Means

Newcastle’s emphatic win propels them to 11th in the table, just two points off a congested European qualification zone. Eddie Howe will hope this performance serves as a springboard for a strong push through the festive fixtures.

For Leicester, this humbling defeat exposes their frailties, particularly away from home, where they’ve managed just one win from eight matches. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side now sit perilously close to the relegation zone, with tough fixtures ahead.

Next Fixtures

• Newcastle United: The Magpies travel to face West Ham United, looking to build on their momentum and further close the gap to the top half.
• Leicester City: Van Nistelrooy’s men face a crucial home clash against fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, in a match that could have significant implications for their survival hopes.

Newcastle’s dominance was a statement of intent, while Leicester will need to regroup quickly to arrest their slide toward the bottom three.

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Newcastle v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League