Newcastle United scored early and often to strengthen their UEFA Champions League hopes with a 3-0 win over relegation-destined Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday.
WATCH – Leicester City vs Newcastle full match replay
Jacob Murphy scored twice in the first 11 minutes and Harvey Barnes completed the scoring just after the half-hour mark as Newcastle joined fourth-place Chelsea on 53 points.
The Magpies have played one fewer game than the Blues and now have a five-point cushion on eighth-place. Newcastle have a Conference League berth in their back pocket from winning the League Cup but are seeking a Champions League berth or, failing that, a spot in the Europa League.
Leicester are now 15 points back of 17th-place Wolves with just 21 points available to them the rest of the way. A return to the Championship is beckoning Ruud van Nistelrooy’s historically-poor attack — Leicester became the first Premier League team to be shutout in eight-straight home losses.
Howe getting the most of all his Magpies
There was a period earlier this year when Eddie Howe’s Newcastle appeared to be losing their grip on a prime chance to reach the UEFA Champions League given the down status of several other high-profile Premier League teams. But hiccups are happening far less often now, and Newcastle showed up ready to go despite several excuses to not hit second gear — Manchester United at the weekend, Anthony Gordon out of the lineup, Leicester as a perceived pushover opponent. But Howe’s men handled their business in the best way possible, bursting out of the gates against an inferior, confidence-absent opponent. Surely it helped that ex-Leicester man Harvey Barnes was in the lineup and happy to go hunting at his old ground, but this was an all-around “mission accepted” game for Newcastle. Mainstays Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Alexander Isak all were able to sub out and save their legs for United, while some rust was kicked off Lewis Miley, William Osula, and Sean Longstaff. This was a comfortable, workmanlike win and something that Newcastle will do to mimic the rest of this season and into the future.
Leicester City vs Newcastle United player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Leicester City vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Leicester City vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Newcastle host Manchester United at 11:30am ET Sunday, then entertain Crystal Palace on April 16 in their “match-in-hand” on many of their rivals.
Leicester leave town for a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion at 10am Saturday.
How to watch Leicester vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Monday
Venue: King Power Stadium — Leicester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Leicester vs Newcastle final score: 0-3
Jacob Murphy 2', 11', Harvey Barnes 34'
Leicester vs Newcastle live updates
Full time — Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United
Another step nearer the Champions League for Newcastle, and a further move toward the second division for the hosts.
Second-youngest Premier League ever debut coming
James Justin and El Khannouss exit, with Ricardo Pereira and Jeremy Monga — at 15 years, 271 days — one of the subs as the second-youngest ever Premier League player.
Newcastle moves
Having earlier given runs to Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff, allowing Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton to head to the bench, the Magpies make two more moves.
Callum Wilson and William Osula will enter for Isak and brace-scoring Murphy in the 72nd minute.
Foxes sub at the break
Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte enter for Kristiansen and Daka.
Halftime — Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United
The advanced numbers back up the eye test — Newcastle lead 3-0 in actual goals and 2.78-0.14 in expected goals.
Leicester are shading possession thanks to the Magpies’ early double allowing the visitors to sit back.
Shots are 10-4 for Eddie Howe’s men, who are sending the Foxes closer to the drop.
Double doink from Daka
Alexander Isak misses with a chance he usually converts in the 40th minute, and this score line really could be even more crooked.
Now Leicester go the other way and Patson Daka races onto a loose ball, snapping a shot that clips both posts before winding up within Pope’s reach.
Harvey Barnes goal — Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle (34th minute)
Ex-Leicester man Barnes picks off the ball inside his own 18 and drives the ball 60-70 yards.
Barnes spins a sideways pass to Alexander Isak, whose effort leads to Joelinton pumping a shot on goal.
Hermansen palms it onto the path of Barnes, who bangs it home and does not celebrate against his former club.
Leicester chance!
Bilal El Khannouss picks up the ball at midfield and just... keeps... going.
He has Jamie Vardy in the middle if he wants to try and audacious pass but instead tries to beat Nick Pope.
The English keeper pushes the ball out for a corner, and Newcastle deal with it to keep their lead at two.
Jacob Murphy goal — Leicester City 0-2 Newcastle (11th minute)
Leicester, my goodness.
Fabian Schar tries to sail the ball over Leicester City keeper Mads Hermansen from inside the Newcastle half.
He’s done it, but the ball clanks off the cross bar. Murphy was the only one tracking the ball and he overcomes a terrible first touch to complete his brace.
Jacob Murphy goal — Leicester City 0-1 Newcastle (2nd minute)
Newcastle love to cross from wide areas, and Leicester have learned this not-so-stunning fact in short order.
Joelinton gets the ball to Harvey Barnes outside the 18, and the winger finds overlapping Tino Livramento.
The fullback passes through the six with defenders and goalkeeper alike watching it reach Jacob Murphy at the back post.
Toooooo easy.
Team news
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak passes fit but Anthony Gordon’s hip injury sustained on England duty keeps him unavailable despite the end of his red card suspension.
Leicester’s lineup screams defense-first but they have attacking bench options including Jordan Ayew, Facundo Buonanotte, Stephy Mavididi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
Leicester City
Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Coady, Thomas, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Soumare, El Khannouss, Daka, Vardy
Newcastle United
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, Isak
Leicester City vs Newcastle United preview
The Magpies kept momentum from their League Cup win by beating Brentford at home in Week 30, and now head to 19th-place Leicester knowing their points-per-game form is good enough for a top-four place... and fifth seems likely to be good enough for a UCL spot this season.
Leicester’s dreamlike days in the top half of the table are long gone, and Ruud van Nistelrooy has not been able to fix the leaky defense that cost Steve Cooper his post as Foxes boss earlier this season.
The 2015-16 Premier League champions seem destined for the Championship, but we have seen miracles at the King Power Stadium. A great escape would have to start with a win over Newcastle.
Leicester City team news, focus
OUT: Abdul Fatawu (knee - out for season)
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Lewis Hall (foot - out for season), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Anthony Gordon (hip), Alexander Isak (groin), Kieran Trippier (groin), Matt Targett (illness), Joelinton (knee)
Leicester vs Newcastle prediction
Newcastle are missing a number of players and that could give Leicester hope of catching the Magpies in a substandard state of mind. Yet Eddie Howe’s men have their season goals in their sights along with a trophy’s worth of confidence adding to their mood. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are fit to drive the midfield, and that should be enough to control Leicester’s lackluster center of the pitch. Leicester 0-2 Newcastle.
