Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Leicester as Magpies smashed Leicester’s Top 4 hopes

It was an excellent performance from the lads away at Leicester as they beat Leicester 4-2 at the King Power Stadium in arguably our best performance of the season.

Many fans fear the worst when they saw Krafth and Shelvey in the same lineup and a battering was expected in all totality but it was quite on contrast as Leicester were comfortably beaten by the Magpies. (Even though I don’t want to mention it but I have to, Bruce tactically outclassed Rodgers to produce a Brucey Masterclass!)

The Magpies were leading 4-0 at one moment in the game( It was beyond our wildest dreams to score 4 actual goals and be 4-0 up and that too against a Top 4 premier league side) thanks to Willock’s graceful finish, Dummet’s powerful header, and Wilson’s brace. We conceded two poor late goals to give the fans a hairy end to a wonderful game.

It’s fair to say that Newcastle United are completely a different beast altogether when Wilson & Saint-Maximin are on Top gear and if we add Willock in there we become one of the best counter-attacking outfits in the League capable of destroying the big possession-based sides.

This Newcastle side is very unpredictable and dynamic they can put up an excellent performance one week putting the fans on the seventh heaven and can completely crumble the very next week.

The Magpies look threatening, precise, and purposeful throughout the game except for the last 10 minutes when they set in a bit.

Anyways let’s take a look at the Player Ratings and analyze how the players have performed on an individual level.

Martin Dubravka — 8

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

He put up a simply sensational goalkeeping show on his 100th appearance for the club. He made some very decent saves throughout the game, anticipated Vardy’s lob quite well, saved some headers, and saved us from a desperate finish with a supreme reflex save in the 90th minute when Perez volleyed from a close range,

Jacob Murphy — 6.5

An OK performance from Murphy though I want him much more involved in the game than he was, he did put up an excellently weighted pass to set Wilson through on goal and that’s what I want to see more from him he has the potential to surprise the opposition full-back but more importantly, he can drive in-field and play through balls or combine with Almiron.

Emil Krafth — 6

When I saw Krafth’s name on the teamsheet I was wondering what wrong has Manquillo done. Krafth simply offers nothing. Many of Leicester’s attacks came from the Right side, He doesn’t have any pace and is easily dribbled past by opposition wingers, play Manquillo instead at least he offers pace and awareness.

Fede Fernandez — 7

Let’s put this simple “A defensive Rock”. Dubbed as the ‘Poor mans Coloccini’ The Argentine commands the defensive line for the Magpies. He made 3 Blocks, 12 clearances, and won 3 aerial duels. It was quite good to see his ball-playing abilities as he played 4 accurate long balls.

Paul Dummett — 8

He was solid on the left side complementing Ritchie’s attacking intent. His defensive numbers are outstanding made 2 tackles, 11 clearances, blocked 2 shots, and of course, scored that smashing header leaping over Fofana.

Matty Ritchie — 8

He brings that energy and hunger to that left side with intense constant running up and down the field. It was an excellent day for the Scotsman in terms of attacking output as he got 2 assists. Delivered a quality in-swinger for the Dummett header and that long-through ball to Wilson was superb. His most crosses created problems for Leicester's defense.

Joe Willock — 8

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

He’s a complete box-to-box midfielder who makes excellent late runs into the box. His ball carrying abilities differs him from other midfielders on our roster. He smartly robbed the ball from Soyuncu and scored with a cool left-foot deft finish. He is an excellent presser and I hope Newcastle can manage to get him in the summer.

Shelvey — 7

This was a better performance from our stand-in captain. He showed a good work rate in the midfield but wasn’t exactly impressive on the ball only completed 2 accurate long balls of attempted 8 and has only 64% passing accuracy. This isn’t good enough for a technical player of his quality. I really do think Longstaff is a better alternative to Shelvey. (But Bruce will continue to stick with him though)

Miguel Almiron — 7

It was a better performance from Miggy. He was next to invisible in the game against Arsenal. His work rate and energy are immense for our side. His performance directly translates to our team performance. He made 3 tackles and his perfectly weighted through ball to release Wilson was also excellent. In this system, we can’t see the best of Almiron and I think against weaker oppositions we should revert back to the diamond.

Allan Saint-Maximin — 7.5

He was decent on the day completed 4 of his 5 attempted dribbles, was tricky and unpredictable as usual, really should have scored from that brilliant first-half chance, only one shot on target is pretty disappointing as he gets into some excellent positions.

Callum Wilson — 9

We got to see a “Classic Wilson” in this game. The brilliant thing for Wilson is that the whole team is set keeping his strengths in mind. He literally plays on the edge of the opposition’s defensive line. His finishing was amazing on the day. Just by seeing both goals, you can tell what he’s all about pace, powerful running, strength, finishing in 1v1 situations, and predatory instincts.

Do let us know your Man of the Match in the poll below.