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We knew this would be a tough one, expecting zero from such a game. Wilfred Ndidi and Bouba Soumare were both out, but still a bit surprised by the selection on the day, not really fielding a team ready for such a battle.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid has been positive recently, Jordan Ayew also one who has been picked, then to see Hamza Choudhury and Stephy Mavididi from start in such a game makes little or no sense. It becomes random selections. Facundo Bounanotte also benched, was a massive surprise, but still on the day, with those challenges and different players not available, we do believe a defeat would have been the outcome anyhow.
Leicester made a good impression over the first 30 minutes, but as expected Newcastle pressed so much that they would in some way get a goal sooner rather than later. Jacob Murphy found a hole in the impact group of Leicester players inside the penalty area as his shot was nicely placed down close to the right post.
From then on and out the first half, Leicester managed to play a bit and it was a bit equaled in play, giving some positives before the break. Then to see Mads Hermansen not coming out for the second half, being replaced by Danny Ward, made it difficult to see how Leicester could get something out of it.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe must have done a brilliant half time talk. Leicester midfielders were sucked out all juice left in them, as The Magpies just ran over them and showed how weak Choudhury and Skipp were regarding tackling and keeping a momentum in that very important area of the field.
Defeat away from home.#NEWLEI pic.twitter.com/vy17k2AlvN
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 14, 2024
Goals came from fantastic play by Newcastle, all credit to the way they just smashed Leicester as a massive pumpkin, scoring in the 47th and 50th minute, and in real killing the game in those three early minutes in the 2nd half.
Leicester had no muscles left in their body to describe this in a picture, as it was no surprise to see Murphy scoring his 2nd and the 4th goal of the game, in the 60th minute. The changes being done by RvN in the 59th minute, taking off Vardy, Choudhury and Mavididi, bringing on Daka, Bounanotte and Okoli never made any big change. Bobby De Cordova-Reid also got a few minutes at the end, taking of Bilal El-Khannouss.
This game was in real a very difficult one, having little or no hope to get anything from it, as the central midfield had little or no hope to be one in shape to challenge what Newcastle had in there, easy and simple losing this game due to that fact alone.
PositivesKeeping Newcastle silent for 30 minutes
NegativesMads Hermansen getting injured, leaving the field after 45 minutes
The central midfield had no chance, showing that a rusty Choudhury and a dissolutioned Skipp looks far from Premier League quality at this point
Facundo Bounanotte on the bench, strange
Bobby De Cordova-Reid has been positive over the last two games, he can play in a number of different positions and could have come on earlier
Letting Newcastle score 4 goals, being totally rolled over, with certain players not really up for this challenge at all
Changes not being done at the start of second half, changes coming too late
Iversen or Stolarczyk (when fit) are the two to call on if Hermansen is not available
Player Ratings: Hermansen 6, Justin 4, Kristiansen 5, Vestergaard 5, Coady 3, Choudhury 3, Skipp 5, El Khannouss 5, Vardy 4, McAteer 5, Mavididi 4, Subs: Ward 3, Daka, De Cordova-Reid, Bounanotte, Okoli
Leicester City, Man of the MatchMads Hermansen
Match Stats (H/A)
Possession: 60 / 40
Shots on Target: 11 / 1
Corners: 5 / 2
Fouls: 7 / 16
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