Report and free match highlights as Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes hit the woodwork on the Newcastle scene; Guimarães was not ruled out in the 92nd minute as Leicester managed just one shot. Leicester host West Ham on Sunday, two points behind
Newcastle booked a place in next season’s Champions League for the first time since 2003, with a 0–0 draw against Leicester.
Eddie Howe’s side left the visitors with a dominant display to guarantee their top four spot, two points from safety, with West Ham needing a win on the final day of the season at home, while Everton will lose to Bournemouth and Leeds will not reverse. A nine-goal swing to beat Tottenham to stay put.
Newcastle controlled the match but were frustrated by Leicester’s combination of defending and woodwork, who rattled off 23 shots and 2.05 xG three times, although fortunately Bruno Guimaraes was not sent off early for a reckless challenge.
Nick Pope managed just one effort, which came in the 92nd minute, when a crucial smash and grab from Timothée Castagne’s volley denied them victory and left their fate of survival out of their hands.
How Leicester survived the Newcastle attack
Dean Smith turned Leicester’s formation around, beating James Maddison and Harvey Barnes in a bid to keep their first clean sheet in 22 league games.
Newcastle registered 14 shots in the opening period, while Leicester never got out of their half, with just one touch in the opposition box.
However, the visitors felt that Guimaraes should have been sent off in the ninth minute when the studs of the midfielder’s right boot caught the knee of yellow carded Boupagari Soumare and VAR decided no further penalty was required.
Newcastle’s best chances came late in the opening period as Callum Wilson’s effort hit a post before Wilfred Ntd’s rebound saw his header wide.
Miguel Almiron blasted against the woodwork two minutes later, and Wilson then saw another headed effort go wide of the target, with the goal slotted wide for a corner.
Smith turned to Maddison on the stroke of half-time, but continued Newcastle attacks saw Iversen push Isaac’s first-time effort from the edge of the box.
Leicester changed the shape back to four after the hour mark when Jonny Evans and Jamie Vardy came on for Patson Taka and Harvey Barnes before Iverson saved with his feet from Sean Longstaff and Guimaraes managed to hit the post from a yard out from a corner.
Leicester finally started to string some passes together before Castagne connected with Maddison’s cross, forcing Pope to make a diving save.
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What’s next?
The final day of the Premier League season is on May 28 with each match kicking off at 4.30pm. Highlights of the free competition will be published throughout Sky Sports’ Digital platforms after full time.
Newcastle travel to Chelsea on the final day of their season, while Leicester host West Ham.
Opta stats: Newcastle woodwork woes continue
- Newcastle have played seven goalless draws in the Premier League this season, more than any other team and their highest score in a Premier League campaign.
- Newcastle have hit the woodwork 25 times in the Premier League this season (including three in this game), six times more than any other side.
- Leicester waited until the 92nd minute to muster the first shot of the game, the longest any team has had to wait for a try in a Premier League game this season.
- Newcastle United recorded their first clean sheet in 10 Premier League games and only their second shut-out in their last 17 matches after stringing together six clean sheets in a row directly before.