A thumping pass from Lejeune is fired up towards the edge of the Leicester box and manages to pick out Mitrovic. The striker does well to nod the ball down to Gayle, who immediately unleashes a thumping volley but can't guide it through the group of defenders camped just in front of him.
Newcastle try to push forward on one final attacking move as Leicester drop all of their players back into their own half of the pitch, but they're unable to do so quickly enough and the referee brings an end to another bitterly disappointing game for the Magpies.
90' +2
Leicester win themselves a corner over on the left wing, and, unsurprising, it's one they take their time with. The visitors eventually lose the ball and allow Newcastle to counter-attack quickly, but Perez is dispossessed from behind by Ndidi and can't carve out a chance on goal. The Spaniard thought he was fouled but the referee didn't agree.
90'
L. Ulloa enters the game and replaces J. Vardy.
Leicester have made one final substitution, with Leonardo Ulloa coming on to take the place of Vardy.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
89'
C. Fuchs enters the game and replaces R. Mahrez.
Newcastle pile plenty of bodies deep into the Leicester half of the pitch as they try desperately try to find a way back into the game, but Yedlin's run down the right wing is slightly mistimed and he's flagged offside as soon as he blasts a bouncing cross into the penalty area.
88'
A. Mitrović enters the game and replaces Joselu.
Newcastle have made their third and final alteration, with Aleksandar Mitrovic replacing Joselu up front. Can he help his side find a way back into the game late on?
Meanwhile, Mahrez has made way for Christian Fuchs in a defensive switch for Leicester.
86'
Ayoze Pérez is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOAL! Perez pokes the ball into the back of his own net! It's end to end stuff as both sides desperately push forward in search of a late goal. Vardy gets the better of Lejeune as he darts into the Newcastle box and then picks out Okazaki with a clever cut-back. The Japanese striker is all alone in front of goal and looks set to shoot, but before he can do so Perez pokes the ball away from the substitute and into the back of his own net instead of behind for a corner.
85'
Newcastle are just about able to deal with the set-piece after neither Okazaki nor Morgan can get a shot away, and the home side then quickly counter-attack. Merino skips away from two players before trying to penetrate the penalty area, but he's closed down by a group of blue shirts before he's able to do so and eventually loses out.
84'
Leicester are presented with another free-kick in a decent position, and it's one that causes all sorts of problems for Darlow. The goalkeeper rushes out and tries to deal with the danger, but he spills the ball after being put under pressure by Morgan and gives away a corner.
83'
Okazaki, who is back on the pitch with a big bandage wrapped around his head, makes a nuisance of himself deep down the left flank before winning his side a free-kick in a promising position. It's swung in by Mahrez and almost finds Maguire, but Hayden does well to get a touch on the ball ahead of the centre-back.
81'
F. Lejeune gets yellow.
Newcastle win themselves a free-kick midway inside the Leicester half of the pitch, but it's well dealt with by the visitors without too many problems. Chilwell then tries to kick-start another quick counter-attack, and once again he's dragged back cynically. This time it's Lejeune who enters the referee's book.
Minute
Description
79'
Gayle goes close! The striker looks full of confidence since finding the back of the net. He twists and turns on the edge of the penalty area before shooting, and his low strike flies just wide of the far post after beating Schmeichel. Great play by the home side!
77'
Ouch! Okazaki stoops down low as he tries to latch onto a bouncing ball but receives an accidental boot in the face as he does so. He's received a nasty cut to his forehead and will have to spend the next minute or two off the pitch as the Leicester medical team patch him up. For now, Newcastle are continuing to push forward.
75'
I. Hayden gets yellow.
Newcastle win themselves another corner after bursting down the left wing on a quick attack. It's dealt with easily by Leicester this time though, and the visitors swiftly counter-attack through Chilwell, who initially gets the better of Hayden before being cynically dragged back by the midfielder.
73'
S. Okazaki enters the game and replaces D. Gray.
D. Gayle has scored a goal for Newcastle United! Assist by Mikel Merino.
Merino did well to rise above two Leicester players before setting up Gayle, but, once again, that goal came from some really poor defending. Leicester should have done much better when trying to deal with the danger, but they were sloppy and were made to pay.
GOAL! Newcastle have equalised! Leicester can't deal with the corner, allowing the ball to pinball around the penalty area dangerously. It eventually falls to Merino, who nods the ball down to Gayle over on the right-hand side of the visitors' box. The striker quickly gets the better of Chilwell before shooting, and his low strike deflects off the leg of Maguire before bouncing past Schmeichel. Game on!
Substitution Demarai Gray Shinji Okazaki
72'
A lofted pass fired over to the left-hand side of the Leicester box and picks out Perez, who is immediately brought into the game. He quickly tries to tee up a team-mate, but his half-volleyed cross deflects off the chest of Simpson and behind for a corner.
71'
Ayoze Pérez enters the game and replaces J. Murphy.
Murphy makes way for Perez in Newcastle's second change of the night.
70'
Newcastle are still struggling to cause many problems for Leicester, who are comfortably managing to knock the ball around inside the hosts' half of the pitch. It looks as if Rafa Benitez is going to make another change, with Ayoze Perez getting ready over on the touchline.
68'
Yedlin and Atsu link up nicely deep down the right flank as Newcastle push forward on one of their first attacking moves since the start of the second half. The substitute then swings a cross into the heart of the penalty area and towards Gayle, but Schmeichel is there to punch the ball away from danger.
66'
Great chance for Mahrez! A looping Leicester free-kick is picked up by Maguire over on the left wing, and the centre-back is quickly fouled from behind by a poor attempted tackle from Florian Lejeune. The free-kick initially fails to result in a chance on goal before Mahrez bursts into the box and shoots, but Darlow manages to get a hand on the strike to stop it from resulting in a third goal for the visitors.
64'
C. Atsu enters the game and replaces M. Ritchie.
Newcastle have made their first substitution of the evening as they try to find a way back into the game, with Christian Atsu coming on to replace Ritchie.
62'
It's been a really disappointing second half for Newcastle, who have been sloppy with their passing and far too open defensively. Leicester haven't been at their best but have certainly looked the most dangerous in front of goal.
60'
D. Gray has scored a goal for Leicester City! Assist by M. Albrighton.
That was a nice knock down from Albrighton to pick out Gray, but, once again, Newcastle were very disappointing from a defensive point of view. The youngster was left all alone and was easily able to dart towards the box unopposed.
GOAL! Leicester are in front! Mahrez picks up the ball just inside the Newcastle half of the pitch and quickly fires a lofted pass into the path of Albrighton on the edge of the penalty area. The winger quickly knocks the ball down to Gray, who immediately shoots and sends a deflected effort flying past Darlow and into the top left-hand corner of the net.
58'
The game gets underway once again and Leicester quickly try to push forward. Simpson fires a long pass down the right flank and towards Vardy, who rushes towards the ball but can't quite reach it ahead of Clark just outside of the box.
56'
Both Isaac Hayden and Merino are down on the ground after receiving flailing arms from Ndidi. Both central midfielders were struck in the side of the face as they battled for the ball with the Nigerian, but they should be able to make a quick recovery as the game momentarily stops.
54'
Murphy twists and turns over on the left wing after being left in a pocket of space on the break. He's eventually able to find a way into the Leicester penalty area, but Wes Morgan easily uses his strength to push the winger off the ball before shepherding it behind for a goal-kick.
52'
Chilwell is put under pressure by Yedlin and goes close to running the ball behind for another Newcastle corner. The home fans behind the goal all scream for a corner, but the linesman doesn't agree an Yedlin eventually ends up conceding a goal-kick after poking the ball away from the Leicester full-back.
50'
What a chance for Joselu! Murphy darts down the left flank and tries to find a way into the Leicester box, but he can't get past Simpson and has to settle for a corner. It's swung in by Ritchie and picks out Joselu, who meets the ball well but can't quite hit the target with his bullet header.
48'
Mahrez gets himself into a good position over on the right wing and quickly curls in a cross, but he can't quite pick out a team-mate and Newcastle quickly counter-attack after dealing with the danger. Ritchie tries to tee up Joselu with a long pass down the right wing, but he can't quite pick out the striker and loses out to Ndidi.
46'
We're underway once again!
45' +1
Newcastle try to push forward on one final attack before the half-time break after winning themselves a free-kick inside their own half of the pitch, but they're unable to do so quickly enough and the referee ends up bringing the first half to a close.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Maguire picks up the ball midway inside the Leicester half of the pitch and immediately darts down the right wing on a confident run. He then swings a cross into the heart of the hosts' penalty area that's blasted behind for a corner. Leicester can't do anything with it though, as it's well dealt with by Newcastle.
42'
A period of Newcastle possession comes to an end, and Leicester try to hit them on another counter-attack. Once again, it's Vardy who tries to dart through the back line on a quick run, but his sprint forward is slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is raised.
40'
Newcastle are enjoying a decent spell of possession as we head into the final five minutes of the half. Joselu holds up the ball over on the right flank and quickly tries to pick out Yedlin with a pass deep down the wing, but Albrighton is there to cut out the danger with a well-timed interception.
38'
Another poor piece of defending from Leicester causes problems, and it results in Maguire clumsily bringing down Gayle from behind. Ritchie steps up and shoots from the resulting free-kick, but his low strike is easily saved by Schmeichel in the middle of the goal.
36'
Almost a costly mistake by Chilwell! The Leicester left-back plays an awful pass across the edge of his own penalty area that sails straight to Murphy. The Newcastle winger brings the ball down well before shooting from 25 yards out, but his curling strike is nicely saved by Schmeichel.
34'
Leicester push forward on yet another determined attacking move, but Newcastle do well to bring it to an end before quickly counter-attacking. They move the ball around really nicely deep down the left wing before a low cross picks out Gayle, who has a great opportunity to shoot but holds onto possession for far too long and is dispossessed by Maguire before he can do so.
32'
Vardy is the latest player to cause problems for the Newcastle defence as he storms into the right-hand side of the hosts' penalty area and unleashes a shot, but there's far too much power behind the effort and Darlow can watch it sail safely over the top of the crossbar.
30'
Leicester are continuing to put all sorts of pressure on the Newcastle defence as they push forward once again. Chilwell twists and turns over on the left flank before curling a cross right onto the head of Simpson. The right-back does well to meet the ball, but he can't hit the target with his header and sends it wide of the goal.
28'
Vardy goes down inside the penalty area, but nothing is given! The striker sprints into the Newcastle box and looks set to take on Darlow, but he's brought down under a tackle from DeAndre Yedlin just as he's about to pull the trigger. Vardy immediately screams for a penalty, but the referee isn't interested and waves play on. It looks as if the American just about managed to get a toe on the ball.
27'
Lovely footwork by Schmeichel! Maguire causes a few problems for his goalkeeper as he sends a pass back to the Dane that he really doesn't want, but Schmeichel does really well to chip the ball over the head of Gayle and, eventually, away from danger. Coolness personified!
26'
And now Simpson goes close! Gray cuts inside from the left wing and beats Ritchie before curling a wonderful cross over to the far post. Simpson sprints past Murphy and looks set to test Darlow with a close-range shot, but he can only get a toe on the ball and pokes it behind for a goal-kick.
24'
Great chance for Leicester to make it 2-1! Space opens up for Leicester once again, and the visitors to burst forward over on the left wing. Albrighton charges down the flank, cuts inside and shoots, and his low effort isn't dealt with convincingly by Darlow. The ball rolls out towards Vardy, who tries to latch onto it but is beaten by Ciaran Clark before the linesman's flag is eventually raised for offside.
22'
Leicester are now firmly on the front foot as they keep pushing forward. Danny Simpson is almost able to squeeze his way into the Newcastle box and towards a bouncing pass, but Murphy is just about able to beat the defender to the ball at the vital moment.
20'
R. Mahrez has scored a goal for Leicester City! Assist by W. Ndidi.
It was Ndidi who picked out Mahrez with the easiest of poked passes, but Newcastle really should have done much better in the build-up. They sat too deep and failed to put enough pressure on Mahrez as he danced his way forward.
GOAL! Leicester are back in it! Newcastle lose possession in the middle of the pitch and allow Leicester to push forward once again. Ndidi quickly moves the ball onto Mahrez and tees up the Algerian to burst forward. He easily shrugs off his marker before shooting, and his thumping strike sails into the top right-hand corner of the net from 25 yards out.
19'
What a strike by Gray! That's more like it from the visitors. Vicente Iborra manages to pick out Gray and sets up the youngster to unleash a beautiful curling shot from 20 yards out. It looks set to find the top right-hand corner of the net, but the ball ends up fizzing just inches wide of the far post after beating Darlow.
18'
Leicester are starting to see more of the ball but are struggling to do much with it. They're moving the ball around slightly too slowly, which is making life relatively easy for Newcastle - and incredibly frustrating for their manager, who doesn't look at all pleased.
16'
An attempted Newcastle attacking move fails to result in a chance on goal, allowing Leicester to break away quickly down the left wing. Marc Albrighton and Mahrez link up well before the Algerian moves the ball over to Ndidi, who tries to beat Darlow from 25 yards out but ends up dragging his shot several yards wide of the goal.
14'
Audacious effort by Jacob Murphy! Newcastle comfortably knock the ball around as they try to find a way through the sea of blue camped in front of them. Gayle makes a good run towards the penalty area but Murphy instead decides to try and beat Kasper Schmeichel from 40 yards out after spotting the goalkeeper off his line. Unsurprisingly, his strike sails well wide of the goal.
12'
D. Gray gets yellow.
Newcastle are awarded a free-kick midway inside their own half of the pitch after an attempted counter-attack is halted. Demarai Gray refuses to get out the way of the set-piece, however, and he ends up receiving a needless booking for dissent. His manager won't be happy with that!
10'
Leicester push forward on their first decent attack of the game after some space opens up for them. Chilwell almost manages to pick out Jamie Vardy with a chipped cross but ends up missing the striker by several yards. Riyad Mahrez quickly picks up the ball, spins and shoots, but Karl Darlow is there to tip the strike round the near post for a corner that's easily cleared.
8'
Leicester leave far too much space available in the middle of the pitch, allowing Newcastle to push forward once again. Merino charges past Ndidi and heads towards the box, where Harry Maguire is just about able to dispossess the midfielder before he can set up a team-mate in front of goal.
6'
Gayle almost makes it 2-0! Leicester are caught all at sea at the back once again after Wilfred Ndidi loses possession in a dangerous position. Gayle flies towards the box and gets a shot away, but his low strike rolls just a yard or so wide of the far post.
4'
Joselu has scored a goal for Newcastle United! Assist by D. Gayle.
GOAL! It's a perfect start for Newcastle! Dwight Gayle makes a wonderful run down the left flank to latch onto a clever pass from Mikel Merino, and he immediately darts into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Joselu. The Spaniard is all alone in front of goal, allowing him to blast a thumping shot into the back of the net from six yards out.
That was a really good run from Gayle, who perfectly timed his sprint through the middle of the Leicester back line and onto a beautiful ball from Merino. The visitors' defence looked static and failed to deal with the forward's impressive pace.
2'
Newcastle enjoy a decent start to the game as Matt Ritchie twists and turns over on the right wing, and he's eventually brought down for a free-kick in a promising position. It's Ritchie who swings in the set-piece, and it's headed behind well by Ben Chilwell at the vital moment.
1'
We're off! Newcastle get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James’ Park.
Today’s clash brings together two sides in very different form. For Newcastle, the last month and a half has been a really disappointing period, as they’ve failed to win any of their last six Premier League games. The one in which they managed to avoid defeat ended 2-2 away to West Bromwich Albion, while only one of their last previous 10 domestic outings has ended in a victory, with that coming against struggling Crystal Palace.
West Ham’s earlier - and totally unexpected - victory at home to Chelsea means Newcastle currently sit just two points clear of the relegation zone, highlighting just how much they need to return to winning ways if they’re avoid being dragged into the bottom three before Christmas. Huddersfield’s win also means the Magpies now have the worst record of any team over the last five league games.
As for Leicester, they’ve thoroughly impressed under the watchful eye of new boss Claude Puel, and they head into this afternoon’s clash looking to record three consecutive league wins for the first time since April. Another victory would firmly cement their position inside the top half of the table, and it would also move them one point ahead of Watford and into eighth place after the Hornets were beaten by Burnley earlier this afternoon.
Jamie Vardy has scored seven league goals so far this season, and another here today would see him become the first Leicester player to reach the 50 mark. He’ll certainly be feeling confident about his side’s chances, as the Foxes have won all of their last three league meetings against Newcastle. The latter last won back in October 2014, and that was also the last time they managed to score a single goal against Leicester.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up today…
Leicester City substitutes: Hamer, Dragovic, Fuchs, King, Iheanacho, Okazaki, Ulloa.
Leicester City XI (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mahrez, Ndidi, Iborra, Albrighton; Gray; Vardy.
Newcastle United substitutes: Elliot, Lascelles, Diame, Shelvey, Atsu, Perez, Mitrovic.
Rafa Benitez has decided to make three changes to the Newcastle side that lost against Chelsea last weekend, with DeAndre Yedlin, Isaac Hayden and Dwight Gayle coming into the starting line-up to replace Chancel Mbemba, Mohamed Diame and Ayoze Perez, respectively.
Meanwhile, Leicester boss Claude Puel has named an unchanged side to the one that featured in their last outing, with Demarai Gray, who scored in the narrow win against Burnley, once again starting just behind Vardy.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Newcastle United XI (4-4-2): Darlow; Yedlin, Lejeune, Clark, Manquillo; Ritchie, Hayden, Merino, Murphy; Joselu, Gayle.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-1 LEICESTER CITY
It's been a relatively even and entertaining game so far, with both sides enjoying decent chances in front of goal thanks to some less than stellar defending. Newcastle started brilliantly and deservedly took an early lead at the end of a really good team move, but Leicester hit back soon after and have arguably been on the front foot since then. The Foxes look the most likely to score again, although they'll have to tighten up at the back if they're to avoid falling behind.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE UNITED 2-3 LEICESTER CITY
A few boos ring around the stadium as the two sides make their way off the pitch. It was another really frustrating performance from the hosts, who impressed on a few occasions when pushing forward but let themselves down with some desperately poor defending. In the end, they couldn't quite hold on to a point, and it means they have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, leaving them just two points outside of the relegation zone.
Leicester, meanwhile, are thoroughly enjoying themselves inside the top half of the table. Today's victory was their third in as many games and means they now sit in eighth place, narrowly ahead of Watford after the Hornets were beaten by Burnley earlier today. Claude Puel's old side Southampton await the Foxes next.
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