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Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Match ratings and comments on all the NUFC players

3 years ago
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I’m not quite sure what I watched here with Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 but it was probably our best display under Steve Bruce. And I’d like to watch it again.

Leicester have hammered us a couple of times recently and I expected more of the same tonight.

However, as we did two seasons ago, we got an unexpected win that made us 99.9% safe in the league.

The first half was all Newcastle – unbelievably so – and I was disappointed that we only went into the break at 2-0. It could/should have been double that.

As expected, Leicester came out fighting at the start of the second, but – for once – we didn’t fold. Instead, we got two goals on the counter-attack and found ourselves in the unlikely position of being 4-0 up against the team who are third in the Premier League.

We faded a bit in the last 10 minutes, and conceded two, at least one of which could have been prevented. But – make no mistake – this was a great performance and a superb win against a top side.

Ten points in the last five games is our best run of the season. It’ll take a lot more of the same to make me feel optimistic about our team, but right now, I’m as happy as I’ve been for a long time.

Martin Dúbravka – 8

Four excellent saves and a commanding presence. Couldn’t do much with the goals.

Jacob Murphy – 7

Good game. Took the ball forward at every opportunity and made several good passes

Emil Krafth – 7

Not our best player but did well. Any defence that kept Vardy, Iheanacho, Maddison et al quiet didn’t have a weak link

Federico Fernández – 8

Imperious. Took responsibility for all things defensive. Could – probably should – have scored in the first half

Paul Dummett – 8

Cracking display. A bit of an unsung hero, but defended well and scored a rare goal

Matt Ritchie – 8

His best display for a while. Bags of energy in attack and defence.

You could argue he was out of position for Leicester’s first goal but he got two assists too. A major contribution from our favourite radgie.

Joe Willock – 9

I was actually supportive of SB using him as a sub. For me, he hadn’t played well in the games he’d started, but he was great in this game.

Bags of positive energy, direct when attacking and industrious in defence.

Pounced on a defensive error to score a great goal. Subbed with what looked like a hamstring pull.

Jonjo Shelvey – 8

His liveliest display for a long time. Seemed to feed off Willock’s energy and played with purpose and drive.

Miguel Almirón – 7

Worked hard to win the ball back but didn’t always do much with it. Did set Wilson away for one of his goals and was the usual bundle of energy.

Allan Saint-Maximin – 7

A good first half, with a lot of positivity without much end product. Actually won the ball back on a couple of occasions, and that embodied the attitude of the team. Faded. Subbed.

Callum Wilson – 9

A great performance from our top scorer.

Two more well-taken goals added to the total and frightened the life out of the Leicester defence all game. Great to have him back

Substitutes:

Sean Longstaff – 5

Unlucky to be on the bench but got stuck in when he got on.

Joelinton – 5

Only on for six minutes but did what was needed. Won a free kick or two and kept the ball at the right end of the pitch.

Jeff Hendrick – N/A

Got two minutes. Not enough time to be rubbish.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Friday 7 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Willock 22, Dummett 34, Wilson 64, 73

Leicester:

80 Albrighton, 87 Iheanacho

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Leicester 69% (67%) Newcastle 31% (33%)

Total shots were Leicester 25 (7)  Newcastle 14 (9)

Shots on target were Leicester 9 (4) Newcastle 6 (3)

Corners were Leicester 9 (2) Newcastle 6 (5)

Referee: Darren England

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Murphy, Fernandez, Krafth, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Willock (Sean Longstaff 77), Almiron (Hendrick 88), Wilson, Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 84)

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Lewis, Manquillo, Carroll, Clark, Gayle

Crowd: 00,000

(Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – What have I just watched??? – Read HERE)

Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Friday’s 6 goal thriller – Read HERE)

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