Leicester faced Newcastle on May 22nd with hopes of securing their qualification to the Champions League. Newcastle needed 1 point to be sure of their qualification as they sat just above Manchester United at 3rd in the table which they managed to score after the draw. They will be in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
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Leicester were in the battle at the other end of the table sitting at 19th at 30 points before the game just above already relegated Southampton. A win was essential for the Foxes to bolster their chances to escape relegation, but they only could muster only 1 shot at the target that too in the 90+2’ of the match. Currently, they sit out of the relegation zone in 18th place level just above Leeds.
Both the teams started slow with Leicester ready to give possession to Newcastle sitting deep in their half. Newcastle themselves were slow to start the match. There were no shots from either team till 22’ of the tie. Leicester literally parked the bus with no touches in the Newcastle half. How have Newcastle not scored is beyond belief with Leicester staying in the tie.
Newcastle started the second half from where they left, they dominated the play in the second half with effort after effort on the Leicester goal but were unable to find a breakthrough to get ahead of the Foxes. It wasn’t their night they hit the post three times in the game.
Final Scoreline: Newcastle United 0 : 0 Leicester City
Run of the Teams in the Premier League:
Newcastle United: WDLWW
Leicester City: LLDDW
Newcastle United:
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 💪 pic.twitter.com/acKEbtLw6u
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 22, 2023
Leicester City:
Your City team at St. James’ Park 📝 🦊#NEWLEI pic.twitter.com/SFgJf6Mj1P
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 22, 2023
Key Moments from the Match
Second Half: Newcastle were bright in the first quarter but were unable to penetrate Leicester’s defence who sat deep in their own half. It was all Newcastle till the 70’, Leicester came alive in the last 20’ of the play after their changes. Their first shot came in 90+2’ which was saved.
90+2 First shot of the game by Leicester and what a shot by Castangne it was bound for the back of the net just to be saved by Pope.
76’ Another important save from Iverson from Longstaff’s effort.
71’ it is not Newcastles day, Guimaraes hits the post from point-blank range
59’ Save from Iversen as Isaks effort looked dangerous.
53’ Longstaff shot flies wide off the post
49’ Shouts for a penalty as Almiron’s effort flies into Tielemans midriff
First Half: The initial period has been cagey with no teams attacking too much and moving ahead with caution. Leicester are sitting deep in their own half determined to not let Newcastle off the hook. The first shot of the game came at 22’ of the match. It has been one-way traffic.
45+1’ Wilson heads over from Tripper’s corner
43’ Now Almiron hits the post, the rebound is met by Isac who sends it wide
40’ Post to the rescue for Leicester: Wilson took the shot from close range but could only hit the post
34’ Shouts for a penalty by Almiron are waved off by the referee
22’ At the last First shot of the game, Iversen’s bent effort was easily claimed by Anderson