City 1 – 0 Newcastle United
Report by Stuart Dawkins
Leicester deservedly progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating a depleted and quite poor Newcastle team. Before the match, City fans were wondering how much City would miss the width provided by Mahrez and Schlupp when they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, but today all three 'back-up' City wingers played well.
Both sides made changes from their regular league formations, for City this meant seven changes from the Liverpool game, including bringing in Moore, Knockaert and giving a first start for Tom Lawrence, who lined up on the left side of midfield, as City stuck with a 4-4-2 formation.. Newcastle also made significant changes to their regular team, including a couple of players in the starting eleven who did not even make it onto the back page of the match programme.
The first half was largely a shapeless affair. Neither side protected the ball well, but – noticeably – City were being given far more time and space then they usually get in the Premier League, where most teams seem to have sussed out that pressuring the City midfield can usually produce results. Leicester's best early chance fell to Lawrence who was unmarked 15 yards out, but managed to mis-hit the ball so badly that it did not even reach the goal line.
In the 26th minute, Albrighton replaced the injured Cambiasso, and Lawrence moved into central midfield. Albrighton has, so far, not looked terribly impressive for Leicester, but today he played well – looking pacy and like a 'proper winger' whenever he got the chance to cross. Both Knockaert and Albrighton were finding a lot of space and, unusually this season, both full backs were getting forwards to support attacks.
After half an hour, the inevitable almost happened … Leicester's opponents 'scored' within seconds of a City set-piece. Newcastle broke quickly from a City corner and put the ball into the net. City players appealed, at first in vain, for a tight offside decision, and it apparently took the intervention of the referee before the referee's assistant raised his flag, a good five seconds after the ball had hit the net.
A couple of minutes later, City got the lead their possession and passing deserved. From one of a number of short corners, Knockaert crossed for Ulloa to score with a powerful header that ricocheted off the cross bar and in.
The half-time score of 1- 0 seemed about right; other than the disallowed 'goal', Newcastle had created very little and City had created a few score-able chances.
For most of the second half, City outplayed Newcastle with seeming ease. Only a good performance by Alnwick in the Newcastle goal kept his team in the match. City looked sharper and more creative; indeed the match felt like any number of comfortable City wins from the Championship last season when they were simpler better than the opposition.
Ulloa headed another decent chance just wide, and shortly afterwards was substituted by Wood, who had an excellent game – holding the ball up well and being involved in a number of chances for City. One of these forced Alnwick to make one of the best saves seen at the King Power this season, somehow blocking Wood's powerful header from five yards out after excellent build-up work on the City right. From the resulting corner, the visitors' keeper made another good save to parry a curling Albrighton shot.
After 70 minutes, Vardy replaced Nugent, and was promptly booked a few seconds later for a typical late challenge on a defender clearing the ball.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, the very vocal Newcastle fans turned on their team and, in particular, owner Mike Ashley. The visitors managed to force a few corners, but it would have been rough justice had City conceded an equaliser. They might have gone further ahead with a Morgan header from a corner being tipped onto the cross bar.
The final whistle was met by cheering Leicester fans, whilst the Newcastle fans booed their players when they went to thank them at the end of the game. Yes, Newcastle were poor, but it isn't clear what booing the players will achieve.
With City's precarious league position, a cup run might not be what they need – but nonetheless, this display will have continued to build on the momentum of recent matches and – unlike Newcastle – a number of fringe players will have been pleased with their contribution and the result.
Leicester City: Hamer, de Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Knockaert, Cambiasso, James, Lawrence, Ulloa, Nugent. Subs: Vardy, Albrighton, Simpson, Taylor-Fletcher, Mahrez, Smith, Wood
Newcastle United: Alnwick, Santon, Williamson, Dummett, Haidara, Tioté, Anita, Vuckic, Armstrong, Riviere, Cabella. Subs: Gouffran, Campbell, Satka, Bigirimana, Woodman, Gilliead, Roberts
Attendance: 23,215
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation