Leicester City raced back to third place in the Premier League on Sunday with a pummeling 5-0 defeat of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United to pick up their fourth win of the Premier League season and record their biggest victory in the Premier League.
The Foxes took control of the game from its outset, easily controlling possession while they searched for an opening in Newcastle’s defence. It did not take long for them to fire a warning shot, Harvey Barnes’ cross through to former Magpie Ayoze Perez only for the ball to be just latched onto by Martin Dubravka. Newcastle were able to fire a shot back themselves after a few instances of quick counterattacking football, with Yoshinori Muto failing to get his footwork right in an otherwise clear-cut chance. Leicester did not let them through again.
The breakthrough came only minutes later; Ayoze Perez and Ricardo Pereira combining to set the latter free – and the Portuguese fullback set off on a blazing run before slotting home with a sweet finish to score his second in two games and put Brendan Rodger’s side one up.
Leicester should have scored another in the half, they had more than enough chances too through the likes of Ben Chilwell and Jamie Vardy; but the game was put to bed through the Magpies’ own doing when Isaac Hayden’s reckless, studs-up challenge on Dennis Praet saw him receive a straight red card from referee Craig Pawson.
The second half was, quite frankly, a slaughter. Within 15 minutes Leicester were three up, Jamie Vardy powering home from a tight angle before Paul Dummett deflected a Praet cross into his own net. On the 64th minute a whipped Albrighton cross was met by Vardy’s head for the fourth goal and his second of the evening. Leicester were ruthless and Newcastle were embarrassingly poor, offering little resistance to relentless attacks from the Foxes. There could be nothing but sympathy for Newcastle fans, who were forced to watch their team capitulate.
Leicester’s destructive performance was capped off in the 90th minute with a fine fifth as Wilfred Ndidi held off defenders as he turned in the box and lashed in the final goal of a five-star performance. The three points leaves Leicester two points clear in third place, while Newcastle slump down to 19th with five points to their name.
Foxes flying high
This was perhaps the best of Leicester we’ve seen so far. 70% possession, five goals from five shots on target and an 89% pass accuracy – all the hallmarks of a dominating and decisive display. There was no slacking even when Newcastle went down to ten men and the win seemed assured, with the Foxes piling on goals.
The players lived up to the statistics too, with a spread of fantastic individual performances across the team from the likes of Harvey Barnes, Wilfrid Ndidi, Dennis Praet, Youri Tielemans and, of course, Jamie Vardy whose goal tally is now up to five. The only player who could not be said to have a great performance was Kasper Schmeichel – only because he touched the ball a grand total of 19 times. I’m sure he wasn’t too bothered by that though.
When the season began pundits and analysts spoke tentatively about Leicester breaking into the top-six. They’re now talking confidently about the Foxes breaking the top four. Leicester’s staff and players have not made this suggestion – their performances have. Brendan Rodger’s has progressed this side into one brimming with youth and intensity (character, too) and they’re now playing the kind of destructive football we’re used to seeing from Liverpool and Manchester City – albeit helped in this instance by a poor Newcastle showing.
While the rest of the big six seem to be shying away from scoring goals and amassing points, Leicester are doing the opposite. Champions League Football is there for the taking – and Rodgers’ Leicester look like they’re willing to snatch it.
Newcastle offer nothing – is Bruce to blame?
Such an emphatic defeat would not have happened without Newcastle’s assistance. That is to say, they brought it upon themselves in many ways. Besides a five-minute spell in the first-half Steve Bruce’s side showed little desire or passion to take anything from the game, nor any ability to. Many teams come together after going down a man and oppositions find it more difficult to break-through. Leicester found no such difficulty as Newcastle performed an on-pitch surrender at the King Power Stadium.
Attributing blame in this situation is difficult, however. Jamaal Lascelles was the only Magpie who put in any commendable amount of effort, and besides the nonsensicality of Isaac Hayden, no player out there was particularly worse than the other nine. The responsibility, then, goes to the man in charge of the team – and in analysis that seems the right place to put it.
Former manager Benitez was effective both in his cultivating his teams’ style and in getting a performance out of them. Right now, Bruce seems to be able to produce neither, with yet another changed formation bringing him no success and little needing to be said about their effort on the pitch. At their current pace, the Magpies are on course for relegation with displays such as these. Change needs to be made, by the manager or about the manager.
Maddison not missed
Leicester’s previous home win against Tottenham was masterminded by creative midfielder James Maddison – but picking up an injury in that match meant he did not make the squad this week. There was a slight question mark over Leicester’s creative ability without his influence, but any and all doubts were totally eviscerated when it came to the game itself.
Youri Tielemans stepped into the role of primary creator and produced a stellar display with his link-ups and vision, alongside Dennis Praet who’s creativity was also impressive. If anything, Leicester were more potent, as they were able to link moves through the team fluidly – something Maddison’s sometimes selfish play (taking many shots on for himself) occasionally inhibits. This now presents something of a problem for Brendan Rodgers, although not one that he will mind having.
Man of the Match – Wilfrid Ndidi
There were very few Leicester players who could have gotten this, but Ndidi was the best among them with his fantastic defensive play and wonderfully taken goal.
Up Next:
Leicester City now face arguably the most difficult fixture of the Premier League season – away, at Anfield, against a Liverpool team who have won all seven games they have played. They will not be in a better mood to do it too, and this could be quite the game.
Newcastle, on the other hand, face Manchester United at home. With the recent performances of both these sides, it is difficult to say what could happen here. Let us hope it is at least entertaining.
