MAGUIRE SEALS POINTS FOR PUEL
IT was left to the Foxes’ England men past and present to condemn struggling Newcastle to a fifth defeat this season.
But the man who impressed watching Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate the most is likely to be part of England’s future. Jamie Vardy converted a 30th-minute penalty after Harry Maguire’s hooked shot struck the hand of DeAndre Yedlin and the defender himself sealed victory with a bullet header from James Maddison’s pinpoint corner. Southgate will surely have left St James’ Park with Maddison at the forefront of his thoughts ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement for the games in Croatia and Spain.
The former Norwich man may not added to his three goals but oozed class with his range of passing, composure in possession and dead-ball accuracy.
“It is not my job to say he should be picked but he has the potential to play international football,” said Leicester boss Claude Puel.
“He has started well but must continue to improve and keep a level head.”
Newcastle are crying out for a playeør in his mould.
These are worrying times for the club, not that owner Mike Ashley seems unduly concerned.
Despite the Magpies slumping to their fourth straight loss at home and thousands of angry fans hurling abuse at him, Ashley, on his first visit to St James’ Park since May last year, spent much of the afternoon smirking with his cronies.
Perhaps he is ready to accept a rumoured takeover bid from a Peter Kenyon-backed consortium. If not, he is best advised giving Rafa Benitez the cash he needs in the new year to strengthen a squad which looks to be heading for the Championship.
Benitez admits confidence is at a low ebb. He said: “I’m disappointed because we did not do what we expected to. There are not a lot of positives.
“After the second goal, we lacked a bit of confidence but we have to be mentally right for our next game.”
Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey went close for Newcastle but they were fleeting moments with Leicester always looking as if they had something in hand.
And once Vardy’s spot-kick went in, the result was never in doubt.