Newcastle United fans serenaded Jason Tindall with a rendition of Wham classic Last [Christmas](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/christmas) at St James' Park as the Magpies rediscovered their sparkling form in time for the holiday season.
Here the goals flowed like a fine festive wine with work on the training ground clearly evident in a week in which Eddie Howe and his backroom team had endured a real bashing after the 4-2 loss at Brentford. From nowhere, the Magpies started to really shine as training ground moves from set-plays came off, and the anxious narrative from the last month or so evaporated into the mild Tyneside winter air!
As Jacob Murphy helped himself to a couple, Alexander Isak got in on the act and Bruno Guimaraes netted a much-needed goal, the black and whites had the perfect platform in front of a packed house. However, it wasn't all fun and games for Tindall with the coach dragged away from grumpy Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy during a late clash between the dugouts!
Bruno lost the coin toss with Leicester turning Newcastle around and United shooting towards the Gallowgate End first, with a collective groan from Toon fans following as a consequence, but they should not have worried. New City boss Van Nistelooy could be seen prowling the technical area in the opening moments of the game and his side won a free-kick on the left as early as the third minute which Newcastle swept clear.
The Magpies registered their first attempt at goal with eight minutes gone after [Anthony Gordon](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/anthony-gordon) drifted into the box and forced Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen into a fine save. From the resultant corner, taken short, Gordon then curled in for Dan Burn who headed over the bar at the Gallowgate End.
A Lewis Hall cross from the left on 12 minutes saw Bruno stretch his neck muscles but head high over the bar. Joelinton struck a shot on the turn from outside the area five minutes later but it was easy for the keeper.
The Magpies won a dangerous free-kick as the game nudged towards the first quarter mark after Alexander Isak was tripped. United tried something different as Sandro Tonali stepped up but fired against the wall.
Newcastle had a genuine lack of conviction to begin with. That seemed to be the story of the first half an hour at least with Jacob Murphy steering two presentable opportunities wide of the target.
However, that changed just after the half-hour mark after a well-worked move from a corner kick on the right-hand side. The corner was rolled short from Hall to Tonali before the Italian trickled it to Gordon.
Gordon then advanced into the penalty area and cut the ball back for the unmarked Murphy to sweep the ball home past Hermansen. It was a goal that Newcastle deserved after piling on the pressure but they should have soon doubled their lead.
Eight minutes before the break, Isak was slipped clean through by Joelinton but could only tamely guide it straight at the keeper for a real Leicester let-off. The first half ended with Newcastle ahead but it had been a feisty affair with Bruno feeling he should have had a penalty but instead the Brazil star was handed a yellow card for a foul on Stephy Mavididi.
Murphy was also cautioned in the first half leaving Newcastle skating on thin ice for the second half with the officials. However, if ever a side needed a second goal it was United.
And they found one just two minutes into the second half, thanks to another well-worked set-play. Tonali won the free-kick before the ball was drifted to the back post by Gordon at the Leazes End.
Hall then looped a header across goal with Bruno then following suit to apply the finish and make it 2-0 for the insurance goal. You could feel the relief around the stadium when that goal went in but things would get better three minutes later.
With the visitors shell-shocked from the second, Gordon got free down the left before Hall crossed into the area and Isak bundled home a header to make it 3-0. Things got even better on the hour as Isak attacked down the left before picking out Murphy who blasted it past Hermansen from inside the box to make it four!
Howe suddenly had the luxury of resting bodies ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Brentford. The Toon boss withdrew Murphy, Livramento and Bruno and introduced Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff and Kieran Trippier with 25 minutes left.
Isak went off with 17 minutes to go as William Osula was afforded some valuable game time and the chance to add to his previous 10 minutes of Premier League action. Osula and Barnes linked up with 11 minutes left but the ex-Leicester man hit it straight at the goalie.
Willock was sent on with 10 minutes to go as Joe Willock took to the field after recovering from a hamstring injury. Newcastle searched for more but they had done more than enough.
Referee: Tom Bramall
Attendance: 52, 235