City Beat Newcastle In Style
Following Thursday’s defeat at Napoli, Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his starting XI, with Luke Thomas replacing Ryan Bertrand at left-back, while Patson Daka led the line in place of Jamie Vardy. Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, made his 100th Premier League appearance.
However, only four minutes into the match, after Miguel Almirón drilled into the side-netting, centre-back Jonny Evans had to come off after landing awkwardly. Wilfred Ndidi took his place in the heart of defence, with Boubakary Soumaré coming on in midfield.
On eight minutes, after dispossessing Ndidi, Callum Wilson's attempt flew across the face of goal and deflected behind for a corner-kick. The resulting set-play led to the ball falling to Fabian Schär, whose effort from eight yards out was blocked in a congested box.
City next threatened, with Harvey Barnes winning a free-kick that James Maddison lifted onto the roof of the net from 20 yards out. At the other end, Allan Saint-Maximin had an attempt of his own halted, while only a fine stop from Martin Dúbravka prevented Ndidi heading Leicester in front at the far post.
With just under 10 minutes of the first half remaining, the Foxes won the ball high up the pitch and were awarded a penalty when Maddison was tripped by Jamaal Lascelles in the box. Up stepped Tielemans, who sent Dúbravka the wrong way and slammed high into the net.
The Foxes were then tasked with defending a number of deliveries into the area as Eddie Howe's side targeted a leveller before the break. The hosts stood strong to repel Newcastle's attacks in time added on, and carried a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Three minutes into the second period, after good work from Tielemans, Daka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes collected a pass around 25 yards from goal and darted inside before curling wide of the far stick. Appeals for a penalty followed as a Barnes cross struck the arm of Schär, but there was nothing given and play continued.
Kasper Schmeichel then collected a left-footed strike from Joelinton on 53 minutes, and that proved to be crucial as Daka made it 2-0 just moments later. Maddison played a sublime outside-of-the-boot pass into Barnes, who squared to the Zambia star for his seventh Foxes goal since joining in the summer.
Saint-Maximin tested Schmeichel from range on 65 minutes, however the Dane was equal to it and was able to hold onto the attempt. Only a timely block from Ndidi then prevented Jonjo Shelvey's volley from sailing through a crowd of players and into the net.
Winger Marc Albrighton entered the action with just under 20 minutes remaining, with Barnes the man to make way as Leicester looked to build on their two-goal cushion. City still had to be alert in defence, though, with Çağlar Söyüncü making a good interception to stop Wilson's run on goal.
Skipper Schmeichel came to the rescue on 78 minutes, sliding in on the line to clear Timothy Castagne's heavy back-pass to prevent Newcastle from staging a comeback. That proved to be pivotal prior to what would follow.
Thomas won the ball on the touchline and played in Daka, who sprinted towards goal before locating Maddison. The No.10, in shooting range, then unselfishly slid in Tielemans, and the Belgium international hammered his strike into the roof of the net for 3-0.
It would soon be four, as Maddison, who had won the penalty for Tielemans' opener before setting up the No.8 for his second, had a goal of his own. Albrighton hustled in the middle of the pitch and won the ball back before passing to Daka, who played a one-two with Maddison and the No.10 did the rest.
Then arrived a proud moment for young attacker Kasey McAteer, who after being named as a substitute against Napoli, made his first team debut in place of Maddison. He was greeted by a huge round of applause from the Blue Army, who also commended Maddison - involved in three of the four goals - for his efforts.
Schmeichel did have to make a save from Matt Ritchie in injury time, however City's commanding performance yielded the three points it deserved, as they recorded their first clean sheet in 17 matches in all competitions.
Major moment
With Brendan Rodgers' men a goal to the good at half-time thanks to Youri Tielemans' penalty, the next goal would be crucial, and it was Patson Daka, assisted by Harvey Barnes, who would score it.
That moment settled the Foxes, and from then on they were excellent in all aspects, with Tielemans and James Maddison adding to the scoreline on Filbert Way.
Who impressed?
Speaking on LCFC Radio, Matt Elliott said: “Luke Thomas had one of his best games and James Maddison made his assists and got his goal right there at the end. But there was main figure out there and that was Youri Tielemans. When they needed someone to drive the team forward and lead them, he was there on the big occasion. His all-round game gave others inspiration. He was the main man on the pitch today."
Where do we stand?
City move up to eighth in the Premier League standings after playing their 16th match of 2021/22.
Coming up…
Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Thursday 16 December (7:30pm kick-off), before City travel to Goodison Park to tackle Everton three days later (12pm kick-off).
All times GMT.