Leicester hold on for Newcastle draw to keep Premier League survival hopes alive
Having dispatched Brighton on Thursday to guarantee the return of European football to St James’ Park, the hosts knew just one point from their final two league matches would secure Champions League qualification for the first time in two decades.
The visit of lowly Leicester - winless in their last seven away league matches (D2, L5) - looked to be a favourable fixture on paper for the Magpies, and true to form, it was the hosts who dominated the opening half-hour.
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, a distinct lack of cutting edge in the final third proved problematic for Newcastle, as Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak fired speculative efforts wastefully over the bar.
Having failed to capitalise on their promising start, the hosts continued to probe for an opener before halftime, and their persistence was nearly rewarded when Callum Wilson and Almiron both struck the woodwork within the space of two minutes.
Grateful to still be level at the interval, Leicester emerged after the restart eager to gain a foothold in the contest.
However, similar to the first half, it was the hosts who quickly stamped their authority on proceedings, as Isak saw a fierce strike tipped over the bar by Daniel Iversen.
That reprieve did little to spark the visitors into life, who remained somewhat content to sit back and soak up the pressure with time ticking into the final 20 minutes.
Spurred on by the fervent home crowd, Newcastle continued their search for a late winner.
However, the woodwork came to the Foxes’ rescue for a third time when Bruno Guimaraes failed to convert from point-blank range, leaving the hosts to settle for the point which secures their return to Europe’s elite.
As for Leicester, they remain two points adrift of safety going into the final matchday, knowing only a victory against West Ham United, as well as dropped points for Everton, will be enough to preserve their top-flight status.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Daniel Iversen (Leicester City)
