Championship leaders Newcastle United were playing away to Leicester City this afternoon and after second placed Nottingham Forest lost to Derby, the Magpies had a great chance here to move clear at the top of the league. Newcastle’s form has been off-and-on recently but they picked up a win against Crystal Palace recently and needed some points here to move clear of Forest and West Brom – who beat Sheffield United today.
The game began with very little excitement as both sides fought a midfield battle and neither created any chances, but with half an hour gone Leicester were dealt a harsh blow as the home side watched the referee show Wellens his second yellow card; reducing them to ten men.
The game opened up after the red card with Fryatt coming close for Leicester before Van Aanholt and Smith nearly opened up the scoring for Newcastle.
Despite the one man handicap Leicester looked the most likely to score as we moved into the second half. Newcastle played with a lack of movement and finesse which the home side tried to take advantage of. The game was far from open though as very few chances were created.
Newcastle did find the back of the net with under fifteen minutes left to play but Ranger was yards offside when the ball was played and it was ruled out. The Championship leaders began to pick up their play in the final ten minutes as the ten men of Leicester tired, but Newcastle failed to find a winner and this game ended a disappointing 0-0. A poor show from Newcastle who failed to break down ten men.
