Newcastle, April 7, 2025 — Newcastle United continued their impressive campaign on Monday evening with a dominant 3-0 away win against a floundering Leicester City side, intensifying their push for Champions League football next season while deepening the Foxes' relegation woes.
In a match that starkly contrasted the trajectory of both clubs this season, Eddie Howe’s Magpies were clinical, energetic, and relentless, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester bereft of answers and stuck in a goal-scoring drought now stretching three months. The win moves Newcastle to fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and with a vital game in hand — a crucial edge in a fierce race for the top four.
Early Blitz Stuns Foxes
The game was all but over before it had truly begun. Jacob Murphy struck twice within the opening 11 minutes to give the visitors a lightning start. The first goal came in just the second minute after a slick move down the left saw Tino Livramento cut the ball back for Murphy to finish with composure.
Moments later, Swiss defender Fabian Schär nearly delivered one of the goals of the season. Spotting Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen off his line, Schär launched a speculative effort from his own half that rattled the crossbar. As time seemed to pause, Murphy reacted quickest to tuck away the rebound, doubling Newcastle’s lead and leaving the King Power Stadium in stunned silence.
Harvey Barnes, returning to face his former club, added a third before halftime, capping off a counterattack after Joelinton’s initial effort was parried by Hermansen. In a gesture of respect, Barnes declined to celebrate, but his goal further underlined the gap in class between the two sides.
Leicester’s Decline Hits New Lows
Leicester’s eighth straight Premier League defeat — all without scoring a single goal — places them on the brink of relegation, just a year after securing promotion. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took the reins in November after a brief interim spell at Manchester United, initially seemed to steady the ship, but results have since taken a catastrophic nosedive.
The Foxes showed marginal improvement after halftime with the introduction of Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte. However, despite more possession and a handful of half-chances, they were unable to find the net. Jamie Vardy had tested Nick Pope early in the game, but it would prove to be Leicester’s only real moment of threat.
Leicester's season has now become one to forget — an eight-game scoreless run in the Premier League, lack of cohesion in attack, and defensive frailties all point to an inevitable drop back to the Championship.
The one bright note came late on, when 15-year-old Jeremy Monga was brought on by Van Nistelrooy. The teenager received a warm reception from the home crowd as he became the second-youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League match — a symbolic moment in what has otherwise been a dire season.
Champions League in Sight for Newcastle
For Newcastle, the result reinforces the club’s transformation since their Saudi-backed takeover in 2021. From relegation candidates to serious top-four contenders and domestic cup winners, the Tyneside outfit are rapidly becoming a force in English football once again.
Their League Cup triumph last month — a dramatic win over Liverpool at Wembley — ended a 56-year trophy drought and injected fresh belief into the squad. Now, with the Champions League firmly within reach, the Magpies are showing signs of establishing themselves among the Premier League elite.
With only six points separating third-place Nottingham Forest and seventh-placed Aston Villa, the battle for European spots remains wide open. But Newcastle’s game in hand could prove decisive as they look to return to Europe’s premier club competition after exiting in the group stage of the 2023/24 campaign.
Manager Eddie Howe, lauded for his tactical acumen and man-management, has masterminded a historic season, blending experienced heads like Schär and Joelinton with emerging talents such as Murphy and Livramento. If they can maintain their current form, Newcastle may not only secure a Champions League spot but finish as high as third.
Looking Ahead
Leicester’s immediate future looks far less hopeful. The 2016 Premier League champions are now staring down the barrel of a return to the Championship, just one year after their promotion. They are likely to be joined by fellow newcomers Ipswich, while Southampton have already been confirmed for relegation.
With only a handful of games remaining, Van Nistelrooy will need a miracle to save his side. But the club’s inability to find the net and defend competently has left them with little to build on. The focus may soon turn toward rebuilding for next season — and deciding whether Van Nistelrooy is the man to lead them forward.
For Newcastle, however, the road ahead looks golden. With momentum, quality, and a renewed sense of belief, their dream of another season in the Champions League is rapidly becoming reality.
You must be logged in to post a comment.