Narrow Newcastle Loss For City
Claude Puel made two changes to the side that beat Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, as Adrien Silva and Fousseni Diabaté both returned to the starting XI.
Ahead of the clash, City fans were invited to celebrate Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s 60th birthday with free beer, water and chocolate coins, while fireworks lit up the King Power Stadium sky ahead of kick-off.
Newcastle set the pace early on, as Kasper Schmeichel turned Ayoze Perez’s header behind following the lively Kenedy’s pin-point corner.
Skipper Wes Morgan then came just inches away from connecting with Ben Chilwell’s floated cross – perhaps Leicester’s best goalscoring opportunity of the first half.
But the Magpies, who headed into the game having recorded back-to-back wins, broke the deadlock shortly after as Jonjo Shelvey curled in from the edge of the box.
A huge refereeing decision followed with seven minutes of the first half to play. After a fine turn in the centre of midfield, Silva found Riyad Mahrez, who appeared to be fouled by Paul Dummett in the Newcastle box – nothing given.
Another blow for City came before half-time, as Vicente Iborra was forced off due to injury. The Spaniard was replaced by Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury, who made his second Premier League appearance in Leicester colours.
After the break, Dwight Gayle curled a free kick over the bar, while efforts from Silva and Mahrez were blocked as City went in search of a leveller.
However, despite looking good value for an equaliser, Puel’s men fell 2-0 behind after Perez lifted the ball over the onrushing Schmeichel.
Shinji Okazaki and Demarai Gray’s introductions were positive ones. With six minutes to play, they combined well to set up Jamie Vardy, who fired home from close range – his 16th strike of the Premier League campaign.
But the Foxes could not find a second goal as Rafael Benitez’s men returned to Newcastle with all three Premier League points.
Major moment
With Leicester City pushing for an equaliser late on, Ayoze Perez’s effort with 15 minutes to play proved to be a huge blow.
Jamie Vardy halved the deficit late on, but the Magpies stood firm to register a third-straight Premier League triumph.
Who impressed?
“I thought he did well. He had some lovely little touches.” – Gerry Taggart, LCFC Radio
Adrien Silva completed 90 minutes in the Premier League for the first time on Saturday and his overall performance was praised by LCFC Radio summariser Gerry Taggart at the full-time whistle.
The Portugal international midfielder produced some fine passes, most notably picking out Riyad Mahrez, who as a result was unfortunate not to win a penalty.
Where do we stand?
City remain eighth in the Premier League table, but they are now six points behind seventh-placed Burnley, who came from behind to beat Watford at Vicarage Road.
Coming up…
The battle for seventh continues on Saturday 14 April (3pm kick-off) as the Foxes head to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s Burnley.