Nine-man Newcastle slump to shambolic defeat

NEWCASTLE’S record-breaking run of defeats continued as they slumped to a 3-0 reverse at Leicester City that leaves them in grave danger of suffering the drop.

John Carver’s side have become the first team in Newcastle’s entire history to suffer eight consecutive defeats in all competitions, and this afternoon’s was probably the most dispiriting and alarming of the lot.

The Magpies finished with nine men following the second-half dismissals of Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat, and their remaining players left the field at full-time with cries of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” ringing in their ears from the away end.

In a season that has been packed with desperate afternoons, it is hard to remember the Magpies being at a lower point.

Having fallen behind to Leonardo Ulloa’s header in the very first minute, Newcastle conceded again when Wes Morgan prodded home.

Ulloa scored a third goal from the penalty spot at the start of the second half, and the Magpies were forced to finish with ten men when Mike Williamson picked up a second booking for a reckless challenge midway through the second period.

Williamson will now be suspended for next weekend’s home game with West Brom – a match that has assumed huge significance with Leicester now just a point behind the Magpies.

Newcastle would slip to within three points of the relegation zone if Sunderland were to beat Southampton this afternoon, and the gap would be just two points if Aston Villa were also to claim a home win over Everton.

The Magpies went into today’s game on a desperate run of form, while Leicester had won four games on the spin prior to losing at home to Leicester in the week.

It was imperative, therefore, that the Magpies steadied the ship early on. Instead, they were behind within 36 seconds of the game starting.

The tone was set from the kick-off, with Ryan Taylor receiving possession in the centre-circle, dawdling, and being tackled by a bright and committed Ulloa.

Leicester swept upfield to win a corner, and when Marc Albrighton swung the ball over from the left, Ulloa stole ahead of a seemingly disinterested Moussa Sissoko to head home.

Newcastle were quite simply caught cold, and while Leicester’s players drew inspiration from a crackling pre-match atmosphere that saw the home fans holding up giant banners, waving flags and shaking paper clackers, the visitors were every bit as soporific as they had been in the previous seven games.

The contrast between the two sides’ commitment levels in the opening few minutes was an embarrassment, and while Ayoze Perez dragged a sixth-minute shot wide, Leicester threatened again moments later when Ulloa directed a glanced header marginally too close to Tim Krul.

Krul also saved from Jamie Vardy as Leicester completely dominated the opening stages, but the Dutchman was powerless to prevent the home side doubling their lead in the 17th minute.

Again, Newcastle’s defending from a set-piece was laughable. Albrighton swung in a free-kick from the left, three Leicester players moved ahead of a stationless Magpies back four, and while Ulloa was unable to connect with the ball, Morgan stabbed out a foot to prod home.

Aside from Perez, who was only the bright spot in the visitors’ ranks, Newcastle’s players were completely off the pace, but at least they dragged themselves into the game towards the end of the first half and created a couple of chances.

Unfortunately, the first summed up their predicament, with Emmanuel Riviere falling flat on his backside in the box as he shaped to shoot following a slick one-two with Perez.

The second opportunity finally saw Kasper Schmeichel make a save, with the Leicester goalkeeper getting down well to keep out Ryan Taylor’s driven long-range strike.

Having reached the dressing room two goals behind, the start of the second half offered Newcastle an opportunity to finally get on the front foot.

Instead, they conceded a third goal within three minutes of the restart.

Their inability to defend set-pieces was apparent again, with Riviere panicking as the ball went to the front post and bundling over his opponent, Marcin Wasilewski.

Mike Dean’s decision to award a penalty was perhaps somewhat harsh, but it reflected Newcastle’s unease whenever Leicester delivered the ball into the box.

Ulloa stepped up, and hammered home his second goal of the game.

Krul made two fantastic second-half saves to prevent things getting worse – first saving from Vardy and then tipping Ulloa’s header over the crossbar – but Newcastle’s misery intensified anyway in the 62nd minute as Williamson was sent off.

The centre-half had already been booked when he launched into Vardy close to the touchline, and Dean did not hesitate to reach for a second yellow card. Given the state of his side’s predicament, it was a particularly senseless challenge for Williamson to make.

Janmaat matched it in the final minute, however. Having also been booked, the Dutchman tripped Vardy as the forward surged down the touchline and  became the second player to leave the field in disgrace.

Leicester (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Wasilewski (De Laet 68), Morgan, Huth, Schlupp; Albrighton, Cambiasso (Hammond 74), James, Mahrez; Vardy, Ulloa (Kramaric 78).

Subs (not used): Schwarzer (gk), Konchesky, Drinkwater, Wood.

Newcastle (4-4-2): Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Colback, R Taylor (de Jong 58), Sissoko, Gutierrez; Riviere (Anita 64), Perez (Armstrong 75).

Subs (not used): Woodman (gk), Abeid, Ameobi, Cabella.