Newcastle United are finally back in Premier League action as they head to the King Power Stadium today to take on Leicester City. Eddie Howe's side are hoping to pick up where they left off in the league before the World Cup break brought domestic football to a halt.
The Boxing Day ding-dong will go some way to showing us how the Carabao Cup quarter-final between these two teams will go after the New Year. However, for now Howe is determined to ensure his side remain in the hunt for a European finish after an impressive start to the campaign.
The Newcastle boss is expected to name a strong team for Sunday's clash after going full strength against Bournemouth earlier this week. We will be on hand throughout the day to bring you live updates, analysis and reaction from the game right here.
Player ratings
Newcastle United stormed to a superb away day win at Leicester City on Boxing Day to maintain their push for a Champions League place.
Goals from Chris Wood (penalty), Miguel Almiron and Joelinton effectively had the game wrapped up by the 32-minute mark. And despite Leicester rallying a little after the break they never looked any danger of a very unlikely comeback.
Here are the overall ratings from the terrific away win for Newcastle.
Match report
Newcastle United breezed to another impressive away victory to stay in the conversation for both a Champions League place - and dare I say it a Premier League title challenge.
At a venue that once saw Newcastle celebrate top-flight safety in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Magpies offered evidence they are aiming for much bigger things these days. This game was arguably done and dusted inside the first seven minutes as Chris Wood's penalty and Miguel Almiron's ninth of the season had the hosts 2-0 down before some home fans had even taken their seats.
And it was certainly game over by 32 minutes as deflated Leicester went 3-0 down thanks to Joelinton's powerful header. By the end, Eddie Howe even had the luxury of giving some of his stars a breather as they strolled to victory.
You can read the full match report from Lee Ryder here.
FT: LEI 0-3 NEW
It's all over here and Newcastle move into second in the Premier League!
SAVE
Speculative strike from Ndidi is well struck and bounces awkwardly in front of Pope, but the 'keeper gathers the ball comfortably.
SAVE
Schar mishits a clearance, but Dewsbury-Hall's effort is straight at Pope.
OFFSIDE
Iheanacho steers a header narrowly wide, but is flagged offside from Perez's cross.
Almiron stat
Almiron's fine season continues!
No midfielder in the Premier League has scored more than Miguel Almiron this season
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) December 26, 2022
Wor Miggy #NUFC pic.twitter.com/KOnfFAMY8z
Poor shot
Iheanacho gets his first sight of goal from range, but shanks his effort horribly wide.
SAVE
The corner is half-cleared, and Willock takes the dropping ball first time but it's a comfortable stop for Ward.
BLOCK
The corner drops to Almiron at the far post, but his low effort is blocked before Bruno draws a foul on the right flank.
Cross blocked
Smart ball from Bruno releases Willock down the left, but his poked cross is turned behind for a corner.
OFFSIDE
Vardy looks to run off Botman again, but this time is flagged offside.
Poor pass
Longstaff runs beyond Almiron, and the goalscorer attempts to find him beyond the defence.
However, the two aren't on the same wavelength and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
CLOSE
Vardy's knock-down finds Barnes, and Botman's clearance almost deflects into his own net off Burn!
Vardy's cross
That's the second time the substitute has found space in the right channel, and the second time his cross just eludes Barnes!
Schar's charge
The defender brings the ball down on the halfway line and marauds forward. He attempts to knock it beyond the hosts' backline, but the ball carries through to Ward.
CHANCE
Ward tries to claim a Trippier corner but gets nowhere near!
The ball just won't drop for the visitors and Leicester are able to clear.
Schar's interception
After a Newcastle press breaks down, Leicester look to have the counter on with two players in space down the left.
Schar reads the danger, and cuts out the through ball.
Vardy warning
Early warning sign from Vardy there, who finds space behind Botman but can't Barnes with the low cross.
CLOSE
Botman again goes close, as another deep delivery almost drops to him one-on-one with Ward. However, the pace on the ball carries through to Ward.
CHANCE
A deep delivery from Trippier eventually drops to Botman on the volley, but the defender blazes his effort over the bar.
Barnes' miscontrol
The pitch opens up there for Leicester who look to make a quick start. Perez finds Barnes, but a miscontrol allows Newcastle to regroup and clear.
Kick-off
Back under way here with the Magpies in a commanding position.
