Five-Star Foxes Thrash 10-Man Newcastle
With James Maddison missing out due to an ankle problem, midfielder Dennis Praet was handed his first home start as a Fox in City’s only change from the 2-1 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur eight days prior.
It took only 16 minutes for Brendan Rodgers’ men to grab the opener. Portugal international right-back Ricardo Pereira charged in from the wing before sending a low effort past Martin Dúbravka for his second goal of the season.
Further pressure followed, with Praet first having a strike blocked by Paul Dummett, before Jamie Vardy flicked a header over the bar after a well-timed run saw him get in between centre-back pairing Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schär.
With two minutes of the first period to play, Newcastle were reduced to 10 men after Isaac Hayden arrived late on Praet and was shown a straight red card.
After the break, the Foxes wasted no time in doubling their advantage. Praet won it in midfield and found Academy graduate Harvey Barnes, who then played the ball into the path of Vardy. The No.9 raced onto the pass before smashing past Dúbravka at the near post.
Just three minutes later, it was 3-0, as Praet – impressive throughout the entire game – saw his cross from the right hit defender Dummett before beating Dúbravka.
The electric Vardy then netted his second of the afternoon, and his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign, as he headed in substitute Marc Albrighton’s pin-point delivery on 64 minutes.
Another strike for the Foxes would see them record their biggest ever Premier League win, and while Newcastle tightened their defence late on, there was time for Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi to find the back of the net with a neat finish.
Major moment
Having been edged 1-0 in the previous two seasons by Newcastle United in this fixture, an early goal was pivotal for Leicester City on Sunday.
A direct and penetrating run from Ricardo Pereira, after he had played a one-two with former Magpie Ayoze Pérez, opened up the Newcastle defence before his left-footed effort crept into the bottom corner of the net.
Who impressed?
Matt Elliott told LCFC Radio at the full-time whistle: “Wilfred Ndidi’s goal capped off a wonderful display for him.
“Thankfully, his goal made my decision a little bit easier for Man of the Match. I can’t give a defensive midfielder the Man of the Match award when they were 4-0 up, but a 5-0 win with him scoring, he can take it!
“Ndidi was the platform for everything. He’s been a vital cog in Leicester’s wheel, and he’s been superb. The others have been able to flourish because of his endeavours.”
Where do we stand?
After this weekend’s action, Leicester City leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United to climb back up to third position after seven Premier League matches.
They have now collected 14 points during that period and have the joint-best defensive record in the league this term having conceded just five goals.
Coming up…
City’s toughest test of the campaign to date follows in six days’ time, when they make the trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool (3pm BST kick-off).
The Reds have won all seven of their Premier League games, and currently sit five points clear at the top of the table.