NEWCASTLE UNITED: A Champions League Club

A packed out St James’ Park were denied a goal and that magical winner at the Gallowgate, but it didn’t matter. 20 years after Sir Bobby had us mixing it with Europe’s elite, Eddie Howe’s Mags had delivered what no one on Tyneside could’ve dreamt of barely 18 months ago.

We deserved the win. We struck the woodwork three times, 77% of the ball and 23 shots to Leicester’s one. The visitors played for a point and stuck by a low block, giving us little space and adopting a tactics we may have to overcome more often next season.

What a time to be a Newcastle fan. After weeks of calculations, blitzing past Spurs, then wondering if Liverpool will be able to catch us, we can relax, enjoy next weekend and look ahead to what promises to be an exciting summer.

Howe made one change to begin with, bringing in a fit again Sean Longstaff for the injured Joe Willock, only for Joelinton to pull up in the warm up. That saw Elliot Anderson come in for just his second Premier League start, with his last being short lived in that defeat to Liverpool a few months ago.

We started on the front foot and bidding to break down a Leicester side who’d went with a back five. Longstaff had a weak penalty appeal waved away, Isak was getting joy down the left and we were dominating possession without finding space in and around the box.

A stroke of luck came our way just eight minutes in, however, as Bruno’s high tackle on Boubakary Soumare – the man who almost joined Newcastle just a few years ago – was lucky to see just yellow. Had the shoe been on the other foot, we’d have been calling for Red!

Leicester’s plan was clear. Get men behind the ball, deny us joy in wide areas and hit on the counter when the chance came, with Iheanacho and Vardy looking for balls in behind. Almiron had fired a half chance over after doing well to create space in the box, but it took until the 22nd minute to test Iversen, as Anderson’s curling effort was collected comfortably from a decent curling effort from range.

Isak became the second Mag to go into the book, making his second cynical foul to stop Leicester breaking away on the counter. He hurts himself in the process but was OK to continue; a relief for Howe after the number of recent knocks.

‘Eddie Howe’s black and white army’ rang around St James’ and a brilliant challenge from Longstaff lifted voices seconds later. We were in control and looking the better side, yet it seemed Leicester’s low block had taken us by surprise, giving us a different tactical battle to navigate as we passed the half-hour mark.

After conceding eight in their last two, it’s understandable that Smith looked to improve defensively, yet it seemed such a negative approach for a side in desperate need of all three points. Still, we needed to be much better with the ball. Considering we’d enjoyed 82% of the ball over the first 35 minutes, we didn’t have enough to show for it with just one shot on target; Anderson’s tame effort from range.

We needed to keep the tempo high and move the ball quickly, as Leicester’s banks of blue shirts made it difficult for us to get Wilson into the game. We looked good, but like a side in need of a game-changing technician like James Maddison; the man sat on the bench for the Foxes!

Our biggest chance of the half then came five minutes before the break. Burn beat Iversen in the air, giving Wilson two bites at a net protect by outfield players. His first effort hit the post and his second was headed off the line by Ndidi, who cleared for a corner. Moments later, we clipped the woodwork again, this time it was Almiron who rattled the post after smashing Schar’s cushioned header into the ground and off the upright. Isak followed up and fired over, leaning back slightly as he met the rebound.

Pressure was building and we forced another corner. Trippier’s delivery found Wilson free at the back post, Iversen was caught in no man’s land and the header went over. Promising signs and a potentially ominous spell for the Foxes, even if we went into the break frustrated to be level.

Leicester hadn’t laid a glove on us, failing to muster a single effort in the first 45. Replicate that late pressure attacking the Gallowgate and it felt like a matter of time until we found the breakthrough. 14 shots to Leicester’s zero and 83% of the ball; a season high!

Just after Jamie Reuben beat Mehrdad Ghodoussi in Fun88’s half-time challenge, Maddison replaced Iheanacho at the break to add that sprinkle of quality to Leicester previously non-existent attack. One change in personnel but the approach was just the same from Leicester, who sat deep hoping to hold on.

It was like a training session at times. Defence vs attack, with Botman and Schar sweeping up every loose ball Leicester hacked away. For all our dominance, it felt like we needed added spark. Saint-Maximin from the bench and the dangerous Isak moved into a more central role? The Swede can play wide, but his stinging effort from the edge of the box showed exactly where he’s most effective, while the left flank was crying out for the chaos ASM could create.

Leicester brought on Barnes and Daka, sacrificing a centre-back in Evans and changing their shape in a bid to win it with 30 remaining. Schar followed with a long range effort that flew well over, summing up our struggles to create clear-cut chances in the box, and Howe’s first move followed – Saint-Maximin on for Wilson, allowing Isak to move into a central role.

Anderson forced a corner and the resultant corner clipped the post, as Trippier’s delivery was glanced off Faes and off the the far post! Bruno was there at the back post, but failed to make contact. 20 attempts towards goal and 83% of the ball, but no breakthrough as we approached the final 15 minutes. A point was enough to seal a top-four spot, but a packed out St James’ Park were desperate for a goal – and almost got one as Longstaff’s low effort was blocked well by Iversen before Almiorn fired over once again.

Murphy then replaced Anderson – who seemed to be holding his hamstring – and replaced Miggy on the right, seeing the Paraguayan slot in alongside Bruno and Longstaff. Another throw of the dice, but frustrations grew as we huffed and puffed to find a way past this wall of blue shirts. Again, you’d think we needed a winner to secure a top-four finish, summing up how our ambition has changed in the space of 18 months!

We were desperate to sign off in style and the visitors equally determined to pick up a point, it seemed. An incredible stat emerged, highlighting that Nick Pope has completed more passes that the majority of Leicester’s starting 11, yet the visitors actually went close to getting in behind, as a rare passage of possession finished with a crucial intervention from Schar.

Gordon replaced Almiron in one last throw of the dice from Howe and five minutes of added time were signalled. Suddenly, it felt vital that we held on, as one big chance for the visitors – who STILL hadn’t mustered a shot all night – could leave our Champions League hopes hanging in the balance again! Nerves increased as Longstaff brought down Maddison and Leicester big moment arrived. After initially playing it short, Maddison finally got the ball into the box and Castagne arrived, smashing his effort on goal. Thankfully, Pope was equal to it, palming away his effort before Schar cleared the danger to stop. PHEW.

A late scare out of nowhere and save that summed up Pope’s season, always stepping up when needed to help us over the line. The final whistle followed and so did celebrations on and off the pitch. Relief, elation and applause from co-owners and Alan Shearer, who’d all witnessed the end of a 20-year wait.

Next up, Eddie Howe for Manager of the Season, Chelsea away and an influx of transfer rumours as we prepare for potentially THE most exciting summer yet.

HOWAY THE LADS!

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