Newcastle 1-2 Leicester: Player ratings as Foxes go third in Premier League

03 January 2021 19:25

Leicester City added to their impressive away record with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, moving up to third in the Premier League table,

Jamie Vardy found the back of the net after 12 minutes, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The first half was otherwise lifeless for both sides, with the Magpies well organised at the back and Leicester unable to break them down.

Newcastle looked to come out of the gates more after the break and tried to find gaps in Leicester's defence, but were punished for a lack of organisation when James Maddison finished off a well-worked counter attack after 55 minutes.

The Foxes doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Youri Tielemans rifled home from Marc Albrighton's low cross, but sat back and allowed Newcastle to come at them. The hosts responded with some changes from the bench; although Andy Carroll's late strike served as scant consolation.

Here's how the players rated at St James' Park.

NEWCASTLE

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Fernandez was off the pace | Stu Forster/Getty Images

Karl Darlow (GK) - 5/10 - Darlow could do nothing to stop either of Leicester's two strikes and had little to do otherwise, but stopped Harvey Barnes with a fine save late on.

DeAndre Yedlin (RB) - 4/10 - Not the greatest performance from Yedlin, truthfully. Worked hard to support the attack in the second half but was often caught out of position which didn't help out his defensive colleagues,

Federico Fernandez (CB) - 4/10 - Failed to pick up on Jamie Vardy's run several times and was fortunate that the Leicester man was without his shooting boots.

Fabian Schar (CB) - 5/10 - Slightly more assertive at the back and enjoyed a fine passing performance, but wasn't helped by having to compensate for his colleagues.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - 6/10 - Defended well and was first to react to oncoming danger. Also keen to bring the ball out and find positive passes, but sometimes to no avail.

Matt Ritchie (LB) - 6/10 - Newcastle's utility man was at it again. Ritchie was tireless from end to end down the left flank and could do little to stop Albrighton's cross for Leicester's second.

2. Midfielders

Almiron duels with Wilfred Ndidi | Pool/Getty Images

Miguel Almiron (RM) - 6/10 - The Paraguayan put in a decent shift having started the game and worked hard in attack and defence, but truthfully lacked end product when in possession. Must improve his passing in advanced positions.

Sean Longstaff (CM) - 4/10 - Too static compared to his brother and less confident in possession. Has to operate at a higher intensity, especially when wingers are pushing forward.

Matty Longstaff (CM) - 5/10 - The better half of the infamous Longstaff pivot. Matty was more progressive with the ball and a more keen tackler to recover it, but was caught positionally at times.

Joelinton (LM) - 6/10 - Dug deep and worked hard for Newcastle but couldn't quite assert himself onto James Justin from a wide position. Unfairly hooked after an hour to accommodate a change of shape.

3. Forward

It was a difficult afternoon for Newcastle's top scorer | Pool/Getty Images

Callum Wilson (ST) - 5/10 - Wilson ran the channels, but lacked the service to make any real impact in the first half. Looked improved late on with players to bounce off.

4. Substitutes

Andy Carroll strikes at goal in Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Leicester | Pool/Getty Images

Jacob Murphy - 6/10

Jonjo Shelvey - 6/10

Andy Carroll - 7/10 - Reacted well to a poor clearance from a set piece and bagged his first Newcastle goal in over ten years as a result. Carroll offers Newcastle a nice change of pace.

LEICESTER CITY

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Castagne denies Callum Wilson | LEE SMITH/Getty Images

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - 6/10 - Schmeichel had little to do and couldn't stop Carroll's late strike. Commanded his area well and did the simple things well.

James Justin (RB) - 5/10 - Keen as ever to get forward but did lose the ball somewhat clumsily once or twice and was caught out of position on occasion.

Wesley Fofana (CB) - 7/10 - Fofana did well to cover for Justin whenever the right back bombed forward, and moved well to keep Callum Wilson out of the game in the first half.

Johnny Evans (CB) - 7/10 - Experienced performances from Evans, who kept things organised and was always well positioned.

Timothy Castagne (LB) - 6/10 - Quiet afternoon in attack for Castagne but a solid defensive shift, winning three tackles and two aerial duels.

6. Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi (DM) - 7/10 - Textbook performance from Ndidi who broke down Newcastle's advances, particularly in the second half. His defensive work is key to Leicester being able to attack freely.

Youri Tielemans (DM) - 8/10 - Tielemans perhaps could've been a little sharper in the final third during the first half, but looked much better after the break and was rewarded for getting beyond Newcastle's midfield with a fine goal.

Marc Albrighton (RM) - 7/10 - Not the quickest nor the flashiest, but that doesn't matter. Albrighton continues to whip in well-crossed balls for fun from wide areas and earned a tidy assist.

James Maddison (AM) - 8/10 - Leicester's number 10 continues to impress. Was the best player in a lifeless first half and continued into the second, rifling home the opener with power to catch out Karl Darlow.

Harvey Barnes (LM) - 7/10 - Barnes moved the ball well in transition and wasn't afraid to get at Newcastle's defenders. His movement was key to his side's opening goal.

7. Forward

Vardy regularly had the better of Newcastle's defenders | Michael Regan/Getty Images

Jamie Vardy (ST) - 7/10 - Quiet first half after seeing a goal correctly ruled out but enjoyed more of the ball after the break when Newcastle were stretched. Showed great composure to assist Maddison's opener and was unfortunate not to score himself.

8. Substitutes

Caglar Soyuncu - 6/10

Source: 90min