Newcastle 1-2 Leicester: Foxes utilise correct formation and personnel

Leicester City’s second came from this exact same position. Timothy Castagne – who since returning from injury has been consistent in providing quality and passing lanes in the width – intercepted a hopeful ball into Newcastle’s front line. Eventually Tielemans span his marker, allowed a rotation of play down the Foxes right-side and advanced into a #10 position – that was vacated by Maddison. Marc Albrighton’s expertly weighted cutback was met at full-pace by Tielemans, who utilised the closing defender – Fabian Schär – as a finishing marker (and curved it round him sensationally).

It cannot go under the radar how beneficial it is for an attacking player to meet a pass at full-pace. Quite often, Leicester City have struggled to correctly weigh their passes or misjudge them this season and it doesn’t always negate a scoring opportunity it just requires an adjustment. However, as perfectly evidenced by the second goal, when the pass is played to perfection, the chance is made a lot easier for the attacking player. Another good example is Vardy’s lay-off to Maddison, which is very good – and it’s especially good play to find the space to make the pass – but isn’t “as good” as Albrighton’s, forcing the outside of the foot adjustment from Maddison. It’s still a goal, but requires a little extra work.

I’d also like to highlight some credit for Newcastle United manager, Steve Bruce. On the back of a very good point against Liverpool, Bruce setup his team to negate all of the internal passing lanes – which the Longstaff brothers executed well – and also converted both Miguel Almirón and Joelinton into wide forwards capable of neutralising all attacking runs of Leicester City’s full-backs. This made progressing play for the Foxes very difficult, and that’s a credit to the system Bruce utilised – even if it did nullify the attacking prowess of his side.