Review

Newcastle seal Champions League spot as Foxes boost safety hopes

22 May 2023

Eddie Howe's side held to 0-0 draw as Leicester move two points from safety

Newcastle United secured their place in next season's UEFA Champions League with a 0-0 draw against a Leicester City side who moved two points from safety in the relegation battle.

The Magpies are now four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool heading into Sunday's final day of the season, while Leicester move above Leeds United up to 18th.

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
3	Man Utd MUN	38	+15	75
4	Newcastle NEW	38	+35	71
5	Liverpool LIV	38	+28	67

Eddie Howe was forced into a late change for Newcastle when Joelinton was injured during the warm-up, with Elliot Anderson taking his place. Sean Longstaff also returned to the starting XI for the injured Joe Willock.

See: Howe: Unity with fans has been key to reaching Champions League

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Dean Smith, whose Leicester side recorded their first top-flight clean sheet in 22 matches, also made changes.

Kelechi Iheanacho recovered from injury, while James Maddison and top scorer Harvey Barnes were dropped to accommodate Harry Souttar and Luke Thomas in a 5-3-2 formation.

Newcastle dominated the opening half with 83 per cent possession, the most by a Premier League team in an opening 45 minutes this season, but were unable to breach a well organised Leicester backline.

Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron both rattled the woodwork either side of Wilson's header being cleared off the line by Wilfred Ndidi as Howe's side pressed for the opening goal before the break.

Leicester goalkeeper Daniel Iversen denied Alexander Isak with a superb tip-over from the forward's fierce 58th-minute strike before Bruno Guimaraes somehow headed against a post from a yard out as Newcastle hit the woodwork for a third time.

Newcastle United v Leicester City - Premier League

Newcastle have now hit the woodwork 25 times in the Premier League this season, six more than any other side.

It took another smart stop, this time from the outstretched leg of Iversen, to divert Longstaff's drive, while a huge reaction save by Nick Pope from Timothy Castagne prevented the Foxes from claiming all three points deep into added time.

Leicester host West Ham United on Sunday and a win, combined with Everton failing to beat AFC Bournemouth, would see them extend their nine-year stay in the Premier League.