Newcastle United scored early and often to strengthen their UEFA Champions League hopes with a 3-0 win over relegation-destined Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday.
WATCH –Leicester City vs Newcastle full match replay
Jacob Murphy scored twice in the first 11 minutes and Harvey Barnes completed the scoring just after the half-hour mark as Newcastle joined fourth-place Chelsea on 53 points.
The Magpies have played one fewer game than the Blues and now have a five-point cushion on eighth-place. Newcastle have a Conference League berth in their back pocket from winning the League Cup but are seeking a Champions League berth or, failing that, a spot in the Europa League.
Leicester are now 15 points back of 17th-place Wolves with just 21 points available to them the rest of the way. A return to the Championship is beckoning Ruud van Nistelrooy's historically-poor attack — Leicester became the first Premier League team to be shutout in eight-straight home losses.
More to come...
Howe getting the most of his Magpies
There was a period earlier this year when Eddie Howe's Newcastle appeared to be losing their grip on a prime chance to reach the UEFA Champions League given the down status of several other high-profile Premier League teams. But hiccups are happening far less often now, and Newcastle showed up ready to go despite several excuses to not hit second gear — Manchester United at the weekend, Anthony Gordon out of the lineup, Leicester as a perceived pushover opponent. But Howe's men handled their business in the best way possible, bursting out of the gates against an inferior, confidence-absent opponent. Surely it helped that ex-Leicester man Harvey Barnes was in the lineup and happy to go hunting at his old ground, but this was an all-around "mission accepted" game for Newcastle. Mainstays Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Alexander Isak all were able to sub out and save their legs for United, while some rust was kicked off Lewis Miley, William Osula, and Sean Longstaff. This was a comfortable, workmanlike win and something that Newcastle will do to mimic the rest of this season and into the future.
What’s next?
Newcastle host Manchester United at 11:30am ET Sunday, then entertain Crystal Palace on April 16 in their "match-in-hand" on many of their rivals.
Leicester leave town for a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion at 10am Saturday.
How to watch Leicester vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Monday
Venue: King Power Stadium — Leicester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Leicester vs Newcastle live score: 0-3
Jacob Murphy 2', 11', Harvey Barnes 34'
Leicester vs Newcastle live updates
Full time — Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United
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