Nigeria international, Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City last Sunday defeated their hosts, Newcastle United at St. James Park to claim three points, a victory which lifted Leicester to third in the Premier League table, one point behind leader Liverpool and second-place Manchester United.
Goals from James Maddison and Youri Tielemans ensured the visitors have now won their past five league games at St James’ Park. Given his alleged atrocious managerial record against Leicester, it will be little consolation to Steve Bruce that Rodgers’ class of 2020/21 are arguably at their most dangerous on the road, where they have now won seven of their eight away fixtures this season.
If that represents a recurring theme, the first half swiftly established another; namely, Newcastle’s penchant for gifting the ball to Leicester. No sooner had Bruce’s players gained possession than they surrendered it, with Wilfred Ndidi, in particular, delighting in intercepting embryonic home moves. Ndidi’s defensive midfield strength enabled Maddison to strut his creative stuff.
One of his early eye-of-the-needle passes enabled Jamie Vardy to steal in behind Bruce’s backline and, with his first touch, expertly round Karl Darlow before directing the ball into the empty net from a tight angle. Meanwhile, both sides waited until the second half before James Maddison opened the scoring at the 55th minute before Youri Tielemans doubled the lead for Leicester 17 minutes after and Andy Carrol got the consolation for the hosts at the 82nd minute.