Chronicle Editor
Youri Tielemans scored twice as Leicester City bounced back from their Europa League exit to earn an emphatic Premier League victory over Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium.
Making his first Premier League start since 7 November following a calf injury, Tielemans converted a 38th-minute penalty after Jamaal Lascelles was adjudged to have brought down James Maddison.
A quality attacking move, initiated by Maddison’s sublime pass for Harvey Barnes using the outside of his boot, resulted in a simple finish for Patson Daka as the Foxes moved out of sight in the second half.
After Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel did brilliantly to sprint back and prevent a Timothy Castagne own-goal, Tielemans was set up by Maddison for his second before the England midfielder got the goal his impressive performance deserved with five minutes remaining.
Brendan Rodgers’ side – eliminated from the Europa League group stage with a 3-2 defeat by Napoli on Thursday — move up to eighth in the table after only a second victory in seven league games.
Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in the relegation places and three points from safety.
While there is plenty of time for Rodgers to discover what the Europa Conference League is following their midweek European disappointment, the immediate concern was to address his side’s porous defence after a week in which the Leicester boss was once again left to rue defensive “naivety”.
A squad already depleted by illness was dealt an immediate blow in that regard, as centre-back Jonny Evans was forced off with a hamstring injury six minutes into his 100th Premier League appearance for the club – leaving Wilfred Ndidi to assume the role of makeshift centre-back.
Despite that setback the Foxes registered a first clean sheet in 17 matches in all competitions against a Newcastle side which managed just three shots on target, though Castagne was indebted to Schmeichel’s heroic goal-saving clearance.
In the absence of top scorer Jamie Vardy, rested after playing the full 90 minutes in Naples, it was Maddison who made the difference for the hosts in attack.
Though Newcastle will feel aggrieved over the penalty — awarded after Maddison darted into the box and connected with Lascelles’ outstretched leg — the visitors’ defence was left helpless by slick Leicester play in the second half.
The Foxes, whose aspirations of improving on consecutive fifth-place finishes had begun to fade following an inconsistent start, appeared back to their ruthless best as they produced three quality goals to move within six points of the top four.
Maddison followed up his pivotal role in Daka’s goal by unselfishly teeing up Tielemans for the Belgian’s second, before exchanging passes with Daka to score late on.
Relieved to see the end of their 14-game winless start against fellow bottom-three side Burnley last weekend, a Newcastle side keen to maintain momentum initially harried an uncertain Leicester defence but Miguel Almiron fired into the side netting and the Paraguayan again failed to capitalise after robbing Caglar Soyuncu of possession early on.
That first win appears of even greater significance when placed in the context of the fixtures awaiting Eddie
Howe’s side before the end of the year – with matches against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United to follow this heavy defeat.
Meanwhile, David Moyes urged some of his West Ham players to “get back up to the high standards” they have set after a frustrating goalless draw with relegation-threatened Burnley at Turf Moor.
The Hammers boss was frustrated as Burnley — who have won just once in the Premier League this season – repelled his side, with central defenders Ben Mee and James Tarkowski standing up to a stream of crosses at the heart of the resistance.
Moyes admitted his team lacked quality in the final third and, after a run of one win in five league games, his side now sit a point clear of Manchester United in fourth spot.
“They’re in really good spirits because we’re in a good position, but once you set high standards, which a lot of them have, and they’ve seen the levels they can get to, I think some of them are playing below it,” Moyes told Match of the Day.
“Some of them need to get back up to the high standards if they’re going to remain in this position. I’d rather tell them that than not. There’s no point in me pussy-footing around it and not saying it. I want to win, I want us to play better and a few of them can certainly do that.”
Moyes’ side could have fallen behind early on when Chris Wood headed over, but they began to take control and headers from Issa Diop and Said Benrahma drew fine saves from Burnley keeper Nick Pope either side of half-time.
Hammers fans may wonder how a haul of 16 shots and 14 corners was not enough to deliver a winner but only three of their attempts found the target and Pope – who like his central defenders was excellent – dealt with them all.- BBC Sport.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter