Leicester City eliminate Newcastle in a penalty shootout

Leicester City have eliminated Newcastle United in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

What a thriller on Tyneside as Newcastle United and Leicester finished level, 1-1, at the end of 90 minutes. As a result, the game was decided by a penalty shootout, which ended 4-2 in favor of Leicester City.

First Half

It only took Leicester City 15 seconds to get their first shot off through Ayoze Perez, who made his return to St. James’ Park since leaving this summer, but Newcastle United were the more lively side in the opening ten minutes. The Magpies earned a free kick just outside the box in the seventh minute and Jonjo Shelvey’s effort was not far off the mark.

Newcastle United did well in applying pressure and intercepting passes in midfield over the next ten minutes. Although the Toon failed to create meaningful chances, they did have some impressive build ups that got the fans out of their seats on multiple occasions. The home side had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the 13th minute, but Yoshinori Muto opted against cutting the ball back inside for an open Matt Ritchie who would have had a great look.

At the 25 minute mark, Leicester City enjoyed 64% of the possession, but they did not create any chances aside from Perez’s early shot at the start of the game. The Magpies continued to intercept passes and orchestrated some exciting counter-attacks. Steve Bruce’s side scored a goal in the 25th minute, but Emil Krafth’s goal was ruled offside. Muto delivered a quick pass to the wing-back who cut inside the box from out wide, but the flag went up.

Leicester City looked dangerous in the 27th minute when James Maddison’s blocked shot fell perfectly for Jamie Vardy, but Shelvey was at the right place at the right time to make a crucial block. The Foxes did take lead in the 34th minute when Maddison’s free kick bounced off Ritchie and that deflection sent Karl Darlow the other way as the ball flew into the net.

The momentum started to turn after that goal, but Newcastle United looked dangerous in the 41st minute when Krafth hit a quick volley inside the box, but he only earned the Toon a corner kick. Ritchie was replaced by Christian Atsu in stoppage time after not being able to continue. He limped off the pitch after being on the end of a harsh tackle from Hamza Choudhury in the 44th minute. Overall, it was an even game in the opening 45 minutes. Both teams created four chances, but Leicester City went into the tunnel with a 1-0 lead.

Second Half

Leicester City picked up right where they left off at the end of the first half as they pressed forward with the aim of extending their lead. Newcastle United looked lost in the opening five minutes, but everything changed when Muto scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Jetro Willems was the recipient of a brilliant long ball, but he was tackled in the box and the ball luckily rolled to Muto just a few feet away from goal. Chicharito would have been proud of the way Muto quickly tapped the ball into the net.

The game really started to open up after this goal with both teams trading possession in the middle of the park. Leicester City were close to taking the lead in the 65th minute when Perez’s header off a corner kick hit the side netting. A minute later, Fabian Schar almost gave the home side the lead when Shelvey’s cross went to the far post, but Schar sliding effort went over the bar.

Quick defensive reactions from the Magpies back-line kept the score level in the 73rd minute when Perez had a dangerous close range effort blocked. Then it was Newcastle United with a threatening chance in the 75th minute when Shelvey fired a screamer from 35 yards out, but Kasper Schmeichel got his hands on it to make a save.

The final ten minutes saw the Magpies become defensive with everyone in their own half. Leicester City kept looking for the winner, but it was becoming obvious that Newcastle United were hoping to hold on and take this clash to penalties. Five minutes of stoppage time were added on, but no meaningful chances were created.

Penalty Shootout

Leicester City: Fuchs – GOAL, 0-1

Newcastle United: Muto – GOAL, 1-1

Leicester City: Maddison – GOAL, 1-2

Newcastle United: Shelvey – SAVED, 1-2

Leicester City: Tielemans – GOAL, 1-3

Newcastle United: Schar – GOAL, 2-3

Leicester City: Barnes – SAVED, 2-3

Newcastle United: Hayden – SAVED, 2-3

Leicester City: Vardy – GOAL, 2-4