Newcastle United player ratings as ‘unsung hero’ stars in dramatic Leicester City win
Newcastle United player ratings from the injury-time win over Leicester City at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United opened up a 12-point advantage over the Premier League relegation zone with an injury-time winner against Leicester City.
It was £35million January signing Bruno Guimaraes at the double to hand the Magpies their fifth straight home win.
The Brazilian scored midway through the first-half to cancel out Adeloma Lookman’s opener before heading home a dramatic winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Howe was forced into one change from the 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with the injured Ryan Fraser replaced by Miguel Almiron.
Leicester took the lead on 19 minutes when a well-worked corner involving Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Ayoze Perez set up Lookman, who struck home despite Martin Dubravka getting a hand to it.
The Magpies weren’t behind for too long however. On 33 minutes, a corner was whipped in by Jonjo Shelvey and bundled home by Guimaraes at the backpost.
The equaliser was initially ruled out by referee Jared Gillett as he adjudged Guimaraes to have kicked the ball out of Kasper Schmeichel’s hands. However, a look at the VAR monitor and Gillett realised it was an error by the Foxes goalkeeper.
With the game heading towards a draw, substitute Joe Willock counter attacked, got the byline and found Guimaraes, who headed home in front of the Gallowgate End.
Here’s our writer Jordan Cronin’s player ratings from the 2-1 win over Leicester:
1. Martin Dubravka - 6
Questions will be asked if Dubravka could have done better with Lookman’s opener, though his strike did go through a sea of bodies. Photo: Ian MacNicol
2. Emil Krafth - 8
An unsung hero for Newcastle on the day - his performance epitomised by his last-ditch block by Lookman midway through the second-half. Photo: Stu Forster
3. Fabian Schar - 6
Looked a bit shaky at times. Didn’t have the ball at his feet too many times, something he thrives on, as Leicester held the greater possession stats. Photo: Stu Forster
4. Dan Burn - 6
Took a blow to the head early doors after being inadvertently wiped out by Dubravka but carried on to put in another steady display. Missed a free header from Shelvey’s corner.