Newcastle returned to winning ways this evening as they dispatched fellow Premier League side Leicester City to reach the Semi-Final stage of this years EFL Trophy.
Despite dominating the possession in the first half, the home side had to wait until the 60th minute before they seen the first goal. Big Dan Burn in-front of the Gallowgate End of his boyhood club slotted the ball home past Dan Ward and Brazilian sensation Joelinton doubled the advantage ten minutes later. Leicester never looked like they would threaten one of the best defence’s in the league and it will be a night of disappointment for Brendan Rogers and his side.
Eddie Howe put out a much stronger side than the one that lost against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and co return to the starting eleven. Brendan Rogers followed suit and named his strongest eleven as they aimed to reach the final four. Only Marc Albrighton, Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez retained their spots in the starting eleven from the win over Gillingham in the FA Cup.
Newcastle almost had the dream start, Almiron ran half the pitch with the ball before he lays it off to Willock who cuts it back to Longstaff who somehow blazed it over from six yards out. Guimaraes unleaded an effort at goal from around 25 yards out which sailed narrowly wide of the post. Leicester recorded their first effort at goal just after the 13minute mark but Perez’s effort was comfortably gathered by Pope. Guimaraes unleashed another thunderbolt straight down the other end which rippled the side netting. Leicester started to grow into the game as the rest of the half went on but failed to create any major chances that threatened the Magpies defence. Almiron, Longstaff and Guimaraes had the best chances of the half but they couldn’t get that final product right to stick the ball in the back of the net. Half Time 0-0.
Joelinton almost got the Magpies of to the best possible start to the second period, the Brazilian picks the ball out wide before unleashing a powerful effort at goal which gets the faintest of touches of Albrighton that deflects it onto the post and out. Burn had the chance to score his first goal for his boyhood team following a floated in free kick by Trippier but he couldn’t direct his free header at goal. The look on his face suggested that he knew that was a good opportunity. Longstaff forced Ward into a save low to his right after the midfielder fired towards goal from outside the box. Newcastle finally broke the deadlock and it was local lad Dan Burn who put his side ahead. A lovely ball from Joelinton allows Burn to run into the box and with his wrong foot, tucks it past Ward in the Leicester goal. Joelinton doubled the Magpies lead with just under 20minutes to go. Almiron slots the Brazilian in behind and he slots the ball past Ward with his left foot. Things weren’t to be for the visitors as Vardy missed a sitter just two minutes later when he found himself unmarked after a ball from Perez. Newcastle continued to press for a third goal just to seal the deal but they will be more than happy with the score at the final whistle. Full Time Newcastle United 2 Leicester City 0.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: It was never in doubt…honestly! After the way the first half played out, it was either going to be a frustrating evening when nothing would go right for the home side or things would come good in the end….thankfully it was the latter. Newcastle deserved their win after dominating Leicester during the whole 90 minutes. They were the better side without a doubt. Going into half-time, it should have been at least 2-0 or 3-0 given all the opportunities that the likes of Longstaff, Guimaraes and Joelinton had. To be fair, Leicester’s keeper made some decent saves to keep his side in the tie but in the end it fell to the lanky left back Big Dan Burn to show them how its done with his strikers finish. I’m buzzing he finally got his goal as he has deserved it. Joelinton’s finish was a thing of beauty too. The freedom that he plays with now under Eddie Howe is just something else. Nick Pope had another quiet game between the sticks thanks to our amazing back line. Eddie’s Mags are into the final four of the cup and anything can happen with our side. It’s the luck of the draw who we will get in the Semi-Final but if we play like we did tonight then we will stand a great chance of getting through to a Wembley final! Its exciting to see what is in store for our club. We can begin to dream can’t we?
What’s Next? Newcastle host Fulham at St James’ Park on Sunday 15th January in a 2pm KO live on Sky Sports Premier League. Leicester travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday 14th January in a traditional 3pm KO.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©, F Schar, S Botman D Burn, B Guimaraes, S Longstaff, J Willock (89, J Murphy), M Almiron (83, A Saint-Maximin), C Wilson (78, A Isak), Joelinton.
Newcastle United Bench: K Darlow, J Lascelles, J Manquillo, M Ritchie, E Anderson, J Murphy, A Saint-Maximin, C Wood, A Isak.
Leicester City Line Up: D Ward, T Castagne, D Amartey, W Faes, L Thomas, W Ndidi, Y Tielemans, M Albrighton ©, A Perez (84, N Mendy), H Barnes, P Daka (63, J Vardy)
Leicester City Bench: D Iversen, C Soyuncu, J Vestergaard, N Mendy, S Braybrooke, L Brunt, K McAteer, K Iheanacho, J Vardy.
Match Officials: Darren England (Referee), Dan Cook & Daniel Robathan (Assistant’s), Robert Jones (Fourth Official).
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