April 18, (THEWILL) – Newcastle United very much guaranteed their stay in the Premiership as they defeated Leicester City 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a strike from Bruno Guimaraes in stoppage time in the second half.
Super Eagles’ Ademola Lookman gave the Foxes the lead in the 19th minute, but Guimaraes levelled the score before halftime. Things looked like they were heading for a tie until the Brazilian came on late to give the Magpies the win.
Leicester’s hard work on the training ground paid off when Lookman completed a smart set piece routine after an even start. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drove his corner to the front post, and former Magpie Ayoze Perez’s smart flick sent the ball to Lookman, who squeezed a shot past Martin Dubravka from close range.
Newcastle then equalised with their own set piece. Kasper Schmeichel failed to secure the ball from a corner, allowing Guimaraes to nudge the ball between the Dane’s legs and into the back of the net.
After an on-pitch VAR review, referee Jarred Gillett changed his mind to allow the goal, though he had initially ruled it out for a foul. It was the 17th time this season that Leicester have allowed a goal from a set piece in the Premier League.
Dewsbury-Hall tried his luck from outside the box just before the interval, but his drive was saved by Dubravka in the first half’s final goalmouth action.
Chances were scarce in the second period’s early exchanges, with Dewsbury-Hall and Joelinton both curling attempts just wide before the hour.
Throughout the second half, Leicester dominated possession, but were thwarted by a well-organised grid of black and white jerseys.
Five minutes from time, the Foxes forced an opening as Dewsbury-Hall surged into the area and crossed for Kelechi Iheanacho, whose shot was stopped by Dubravka.
After that, Newcastle scored a stunning winner. The Magpies broke through Leicester with a cutting counter-attack down the left flank, and Guimaraes was there in the box to smash the ball home from a Joe Willock cross with four minutes of stoppage time already played.
The win moves Newcastle up to 14th place in the table, thereby ensuring their survival in the top flight, as they now have a 12-point lead above Burnley. The next time they play is in midweek against Crystal Palace. Leicester, however, is still in eighth place and will play Everton on Wednesday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
