City Leave It Late At Newcastle
The Foxes, unchanged from last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Burnley, fell behind after just four minutes as Joselu converted Dwight Gayle’s low cross from close range.
City grew into the game, though, and after Demarai Gray went close on two occasions either side of Wilfred Ndidi’s 25-yard drive, they hauled themselves level.
Just as he had done against Tottenham Hotspur late last month, Riyad Mahrez picked up the ball midway in the Newcastle half, sprinted past one defender and hammered a superb drive into the top corner from distance.
Opportunities for Marc Albrighton, Danny Simpson and Jamie Vardy followed in the first half, while Kasper Schmeichel had to be alert to efforts from Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie as the interval approached.
A lovely team move from the Foxes on the hour mark produced their second goal of the game. Albrighton’s deft touch teed up Gray, who lashed a strike past Karl Darlow via a deflection to make it 2-1.
However, after a spell of pressure, the hosts were level 12 minutes later through Gayle. Another deflection, this time at the other end of the pitch, produced a second goal for the Magpies.
Gayle threatened again just moments later as he dragged a left-footed strike inches wide of Schmeichel’s upright, but City showed their resilience and, with four minutes to play, it paid off.
Vardy burst down the left and cut back onto his right foot before delivering into the box. Substitute Shinji Okazaki put Ayoze Perez under pressure and the Spaniard could only turn the ball into the back of the net, handing the Foxes all three points in turn.
Major moment
A bandaged-up Shinji Okazaki, who had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes, never stopped running after emerging from the bench and his intelligent positioning late on had a big impact on the result.
Credit should also go to Jamie Vardy, who worked the channels all evening. That eventually paid dividends in the closing stages, as his smart run in behind eventually produced the decisive goal.
Who impressed?
“Ben Chilwell is like a runaway train down this left-hand side. No one can stop him.” – Gerry Taggart, LCFC Radio
England Under-21s defender Ben Chilwell started his third consecutive Premier League game on Saturday and all three appearances have resulted in wins for the Foxes.
Against Newcastle, the left back stood up to the challenge of defending against the lively pairing of Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy, while his forward runs caused havoc throughout the evening.
Vital interceptions and covering in the second period from Chilwell gave City the platform to go on and win the game and they did exactly that.
Where do we stand?
A third-straight Premier League victory sees Leicester City move up one position to eighth, leapfrogging Watford in the process. They are now five points off a European position.
Coming up…
A second Premier League away trip in five days follows on Wednesday as Claude Puel makes a return to St. Mary’s Stadium to take on his former club Southampton (7:45pm kick-off).