Toon clinch spot in Champions League after a nervous draw with the Foxes
NEWCASTLE United made it to the Champions League after a nervous night against Leicester City at St James’ Park.
It was a night in which Newcastle piled on the pressure with 23 attempts at goal but got the point they required to be at Europe’s top table next season.
United hit the post three times but Leicester still managed to scrape the draw that keeps their own survival hopes alive.
United, who recalled Sean Longstaff after a foot injury, were forced into a late change after Joelinton pulled up in the warm-up with an injury and youngster Elliot Anderson replaced him.
The reshuffle also saw young defender Harrison Ashby - yet to appear after a January move from West Ham - named on the bench.
Newcastle made a bright start and Miguel Almiron won a corner on the right-hand side after three minutes.
Kieran Trippier’s corner was floated to the back post and nodded down by Dan Burn before Leicester cleared the danger.
On seven minutes Bruno Guimaraes swept a ball forward for Longstaff who went down in the box but referee Andre Marriner waved away appeals for an unlikely penalty.
Two minutes later a wild challenge from Bruno on Boubakary Soumare resulted in only a yellow card despite the Foxes protesting for his dismissal.
With 14 minutes gone, United won another flag kick, Trippier whipped it in but again Leicester dealt with the danger. Almiron tried his luck from distance on 18 minutes but his effort went high over the top.
Anderson had a go from 20 yards out mid-way through the first half but his curling effort was gathered by Daniel Iverson.
Isak went into the book after a tackle that went wrong on Timothy Castange with 27 minutes gone, not only was it an unnecessary challenge the Sweden international also needed treatment.
Callum Wilson had not really had much of a look in until the 41st minute but after a corner was swung in,
Dan Burn teed up before the number 9 struck an effort off the post. His follow-up saw Leicester hack it clear off the line.
Three minutes before the break Almiron’s shot struck the post before Isak blazed over the rebound as the Foxes survived again. At the end of the half, Isak headed wide from a Trippier corner.
Newcastle went off at the break having created 14 goal attempts and enjoying 83% possession. In response, United transfer target James Maddison was sent on for the second half after being benched by Dean Smith with the England man replacing Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Foxes survived a penalty appeal on 48 minutes when Almiron’s shot cannoned off Youri Tielemans blocked the ball but again Marriner waved away protests. Moments later, Longstaff sent a shot wide as the pressure continued to build towards the Gallowgate End.
Iverson was forced to make a fine save when he pushed over Isak’s goal-bound shot after Almiron’s cut back on the hour as Leicester held on again.
Smith was then forced to turn back to one of his two dropped players in Harvey Barnes as he intro
duced the City man for the last half an hour with Patson Daka also offering some much-needed attacking threat for the visitors. Vardy went off without gettting a sniff up front for Leicester while injured veteran Jonny Evans followed him to the tunnel.
Schar swung an effort over the bar mid-way through the second half and that was the cue for Allan Saintmaximin to enter the fray. It was top scorer Wilson who came off no doubt frustrated he was unable to add to his 18-goal tally.
With 19 minutes, Trippier’s corner was aimed into the danger zone once again with Wout Faes directing it towards his own keeper. Iverson got tangled up in the goal before
Bruno headed against the post and Leicester somehow survived yet another attack.
There were just 15 minutes to go when Longstaff made a marauding run down the right before striking the ball at the feet of Iverson. Howe introduced Jacob Murphy for Anderson after the youngster put in a tireless display,
United then found themselves caught in two minds as they were left to contemplate whether to keep pushing for the win or settle for the draw that would be enough to take them to Europe’s top table. Howe threw on Anthony Gordon for the final throes of the home season with Almiron leaving the field.
The game reached the 90 minute mark without Leicester managing a shot but there were still five additional minutes of stoppage time to negotiate. And a goal threat finally came in the 92nd minute when Castagne fired at goal at the Leazes End before Nick Pope made a fine save.
It was a moment that mattered with Newcastle holding on for a point to make it back to the Champions League for the first time since 2003.