Newcastle United are back in action on this fine Friday evening at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City. Both teams will be looking to better their previous game with the Mags losing to Arsenal and the Foxes drawing away at Southampton. Bruce's side have all but avoided relegation but it could be Brendan Rogers hunger for a Champions League place which could prove difficult for United. Vardy is back today for Leicester after a recent injury looked likely to keep him out, so to contend with the partnership of Vardy and Iheanacho, Steve Bruce has kept the defensive formation of a 5-3-2 formation with Dubravka keeping his place, with Krafth, Fernandez and Dummett in front of him. Supporting the center backs on the wings are Murphy and Ritchie while the center midfield position has had a bit of a shake up, dropping Sean Longstaff for the return of Willock after missing out against Arsenal due to the rules on players playing against their parent clubs. Almiron keeps his place in midfield in a center role with Shelvey on the left. Saint-Maximin stays along side Callum Wilson who starts for the second time in as many games.
There was a scare in the opening four minutes when Albrighton who replace Jonny Evans just before kick off, whipped in a ball for Tielemans to head over the bar.
Five minutes later and the Mags were appealing for a penalty when Soyuncu brought down Wilson who beat him with trickery and pace, a foul was given but it was adjudged to be just outside of the area so a free kick was given which was taken by Ritchie and was drilled in to hard and cleared away.
Sixteen minutes in Murphy played in Wilson behind Soyuncu. Wilson drove the ball forward and laid the ball off to Saint-Maximin who was one-on-one with the keeper but the keeper lived up to the name Schmeichel, sprawling like a star fish to make the stop. unlucky Maxi.
And then just six minutes later Soyuncu gave the ball away to Willock who pounced on his mistake. Willock took the ball into the box and drew out the keeper to slot the ball in on a rather tight angle. 1-0.
On the 25th minute Leicester had a great chance to go level with a ball into the box by Maddison, Forfana leapt into the air and got a powerful header but stopped brilliantly by Dubravka.
Just over half-an-hour in and the Toon players were screaming for a penalty again when Almiron beat Castagne for pace, Castagne on the stretch brought down Almiron in the box but he managed to get the ball before he got Miggy.
Nobody saw coming what happened just two minutes later. Ritchie's corner was whipped in and who should rise up to meet the ball and head it in the back of the net? Paul Dummett, fantastic header to rise above the Foxes defense to give the Mags some breathing space. 2-0.
On the 36th minute Leicester needed to get back into the game and Albrighton played in a good low cross which was left by Vardy for Iheanacho to get the strike but it was hit straight at Dubravka.
Just before half time Leicester were heading in to the break two goals down. To get a goal back at that point would have set Rodgers men up for the second half, and a ball off Maddison sent Vardy on his way as he put the ball over the head of Dummett and attempted to do the same to Dubravka but the Slovakian saw it coming and punched the ball away to safety. Half Time 0-2.
Coming into the second half and Leicester had it all to do. On the 48th minute Iheanacho put the ball into the box for Maddison to get a head onto it but the header is too high and was never going to trouble Dubravka.
In the 55th minute a ball in the box by Tielemans played in Wilfried Ndidi who's header just went wide, close but Leicester are trying to find the goals to get them back into the game.
But just as they were getting into the game, disaster struck for Leicester's Champions League hopes When Almiron set up Wilson who broke away for the Mags, Wilson drove his way into the box and slotted it past the Keeper. 3-0.
Both Iheanacho and Tielemans had shots blocked for Leicester but Ayoze Perez came on and tested Dubravka from just outside of the box, Perez struck the ball well towards the top bins but Dubravka, like a cat got his hand to the ball and out for a corner which came to nothing.
just after the hour mark, the young Leicester full back Luke Thomas put the ball into the box from outside of the area. Fofana got his head to the ball but it was too central and easy for Dubravka.
In the 73rd minute Wilson broke away from the defense, One-on-one with the keeper Wilson hit the post, the ball rebounded back to Wilson on an awkward angle but Wilson took the rebound well on his left foot. 4-0.
Leicester managed to pull one back in the 80th minute when Vardy pulled the ball back to Albrighton who unleashed a venomous shot into the back of the net. 4-1.
Leicester sensed blood with a few blocked shots from Perez and Iheanacho, and those two player linked up well to put Leicester all but back into the game when Perez played the ball into the box for Iheanacho who's left footed shot found the back of the net in the bottom right corner. 4-2.
Into stoppage time and Leicester are throwing bodies into the box. Albrighton had his cross deflected but found Castagne who flicked the ball on for Perez who must have thought he scored but Dubravka had other ideas.
Then a minute later Vardy had his effort hit the roof of the net. It seemed unlikely but this was nail biting stuff for United. Shelvey won a corner form a free kick and United kept the ball in the corner. Eventually the ball found its way down the pitch but it was too late Leicester, the referee blew for full time. Full Time: Leicester City 2-4 Newcastle United.
Well who saw this coming. Fantastic victory for the Mags. We made it hard towards the end but that's the Toon Army way. I thought Bruce set up the team well and every man did their job today. This game made me proud to be a Newcastle fan. Joe Willock yet again on the scoresheet, it's worrying in a way because most fans want him on a permanent basis, and with every goal he score you feel that the transfer value goes up and up and up. What a way to answer the Arsenal defeat. Bring on City next week. Surely that's us safe now.
By Sam West
Howay the Lads!