Leicester City face Newcastle United on Friday night in hope of securing the important top-four spot whilst Steve Bruce's men hope for a victory to mathematically secure Premier League football for another season.

Securing safety was a fate the Foxes were chasing back in Spring 2015 and with a series of fortunate events, Nigel Pearson's men found themselves on the brink of survival with a new sense of belief and a new formation with two strikers in Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa with Riyad Mahrez playing just behind and with the use of wing-backs.

The magpies boss, John Carver had been in the headlines for inviting two fans for a 'cup of tea' after pleading for protection for his players from the fans whilst Pearson had been in the headlines also for branding a journalist an 'Ostrich'.

On the pitch, Newcastle were in the top half and just coasting for their holidays and that was evident as they found themselves under pressure from kick-off. 

Foxes hunting for their prey

Inside the opening 30 seconds, Toon defender Daryl Janmaat conceded a corner in which was swung in by Marc Albrighton to be met by Ulloa, whom of which was seeming to be the Foxes saviour, to put Leicester 1-0 up inside the opening minute. A goal what was the fifth-fastest Premier League goal that season

If that didn't give the City faithful a sense of 'we can do this' then Wes Morgan just might of with his bundled strike.

Again, an Albrighton set-piece was swung in and looked destined to be met by Ulloa to bundle home but Morgan just pipped the Argentine to strike a killer blow and send the King Power Stadium into eruption on the 17th minute. A strike that all but guaranteed Leicester three points.

Nigel Pearson's men were not finished there as they came out for the second half smelling blood and when Emmanuel Rivière was deemed to of shoved Polish veteran, Marcin Wasilewski in the area following another Albrighton set-piece, Leo Ulloa stepped up and smashed home his second and Leicester's third from the penalty spot. 

A clearly rattled, Newcastle side were not happy and this shown in the 62nd minute as defender Mike Williamson was sent off for a second bookable offence as he foolishly brought down Vardy off the pitch. 

A tackle which Carver labelled as 'intentional' and an 'easy way out'.

Leicester and Denmark's number one, Kasper Schmeichel was called upon late on to save from Siem de Jong but Newcastle went down with a whimper and were spared further blushes when Jamie Vardy headed wide in injury time.

With three points secured against a weak Newcastle team, things got worse for the Magpies after another needless foul from Janmaat gave referee, Mike Dean no other choice but to give him his marching orders as well in added time. Both defenders were set to miss the final two games.



 

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