Bruno Guimaraes’ late winner hands Newcastle fifth straight home victory

Bruno Guimaraes headed home an injury-time winner as Newcastle came from behind to beat European semi-finalists Leicester and almost end their Premier League relegation fears.

The Brazilian, who had earlier disallowed Ademola Lookman’s first goal of the first half, jumped in the fifth minute of added time to the delight of a crowd of 52,104 at St James’ Park to wrest a 2-1 victory from him that put the Magpies with a 12-point lead. from the drop zone.

Europa Conference League semi-finalists Leicester dominated possession for long periods despite manager Brendan Rodgers making massive changes, but couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for a second time and was ultimately left counting the cost. .

City, with just three of the men (Kasper Schmeichel, Youri Tielemans and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall), who started Thursday night’s 2-1 win against PSV Eindhoven, were under pressure from the start after central defender Daniel Amartey scored a goal in the first minute. Yellow card for foul on Miguel Almiron.

However, Schmeichel deftly handled Jonjo Shelvey’s shot from the resulting free kick despite the ball bouncing unpleasantly when he reached it.

Joelinton finished from a tight angle after running into a Fabian Schar cross past the far post as the game quickly shifted back and forth with Shelvey for the home team and Tielemans for the Foxes orchestrating from midfield.

It was Leicester who took a lead in the 19th minute when Dewsbury-Hall drilled a low corner kick on the run near the post by former Magpie Ayoze Perez and when he sent the ball inside, Lookman sent a shot across a packed penalty area. and below Dubravka.

The Newcastle goalkeeper was relieved to see Tielemans drag a shot wide in the 25th minute after he had turned Shelvey and raced towards goal, and Matt Targett had to dive into the path of a Perez shot seconds later, and his team was tied 14 minutes earlier. Rest.

Defender Dan Burn headed into Shelvey’s corner and, although Schmeichel blocked Guimaraes’ initial shot, the Brazilian dribbled the ball between the keeper’s legs and across the line and referee Jarred Gillett, after being advised to review his initial decision to disallow the goal, he changed his decision. mind.

Targett headed Schmeichel from a tempting Guimaraes cross in the 37th minute when Eddie Howe’s men sensed an opportunity, but Dewsbury-Hall tested Dubravka from distance just before half-time as the first 45 minutes drew to a close.

Saint-Maximin fired a shot wide in the 47th minute when he slipped after Almiron had passed Luke Thomas on the touchline and squared, and the Frenchman skimmed a second attempt seconds later.

But Emil Krafth had to make a vital block to deny Lookman after Caglar Soyuncu and Perez combined to play him.

Dan Burn had to be equally vigilant to deny Kelechi Iheanacho a late winner with a cross from Dewsbury-Hall, and it was the Magpies who struck the final blow when Guimaraes headed in a deflected cross from substitute Joe Willock for a fifth win. consecutive at home.