Newcastle United’s record against so-called lesser teams this season needs no going over. Failing to take home maximum points against the likes of Fulham, Everton and Bournemouth has caused frustration - while home defeats against West Ham United and Brighton have done nothing to further the Magpies' European ambitions.
With Leicester City loitering above the relegation zone, with just 14 points to their name, there could be no repeat of those aforementioned fixtures. This had to be a [Newcastle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) win and a big one at that.
Thankfully, just five minutes after the half time break, it was job done after two goals in as many minutes to make it 3-0 to the hosts. In truth, giving the woeful manner of Leicester’s display in the opening period, it was already looking in the bag before the interval.
One particular moment shortly after the half time break summed up the Foxes’ frustration. Goalkeeper Danny Ward angrily threw the ball back towards the centre circle, no doubt blushing after conceding two goals inside five minutes after being introduced as a substitute during the half time break.
Ward was brought on to replace Mads Hermansen, who picked up a groin injury, and was hoping to inspire his side to an impressive fight back. Before the clock struck 50, he knew his side had blown any faint hope of that eventuality.
With Newcastle extending their lead through Jacob Murphy’s second strike of the game later in the second half, the atmosphere naturally tailed off slightly with Eddie Howe’s men home and hosed. The Gallowgate End, as ever, reeled off a list of well known hits but the rest of the stadium only really raised the volume if the Magpies were threatening to score a fifth.
During a late lull in play, with 86 minutes on the clock, Leicester defender Conor Coady could be heard shouting: “Don't stop, don't stop! Until the end. Come on!"
He and his team-mates had long given up attempting to fight back but wanted to keep the score line as respectable as possible.
Oh how we have missed this. Newcastle putting teams to sword in brutal and embarrassing fashion. The result we witnessed on Saturday we should also have witnessed against Brighton, West Ham and countless other teams of late - had the Magpies been at their brilliant best.
Howe can’t change the past but this must be the start of Newcastle rediscovering their mojo on home soil. Starting with Brentford in midweek.
"It was a good performance today," the Newcastle head coach said at full-time. "The first goal was important.
"It took a well-worked set play to set the ball rolling, and the second goal was important too so we were able to express ourselves a little bit more. We're disappointed we haven't been able to show that more this season. Today was one of our better performances."