Leicester City’s superb start to the season continues after a dominant 5-0 win over Newcastle United.
The opener came as Ricardo Pereira burst away from Newcastle defenders onto the edge of the box before placing his shot excellently into the bottom corner; the right-back’s second goal in two games.
Leicester continued to apply pressure throughout the remainder of the first-half, threatening to add another.
As the first-half wound to a close, a reckless challenge from Issac Hayden, as he flew two-footed into Dennis Praet, saw the Newcastle midfielder sent off.
The home side always looked in control and it didn’t take long into the second-half for the Foxes to extend their lead as Harvey Barnes played Jamie Vardy through who the finished well at a tight angle.
The Leicester second then opened the floodgates, as two more goals followed within ten minutes.
The first came as Praet stormed into the Newcastle box and aimed to play a ball across to his teammates in the middle, which was then deflected by Paul Dummett into his own net.
This was quickly followed by a second from Vardy. The striker getting on the end of a trademark cross from Marc Albrighton.
It looked as though that would be the end of Newcastle’s humiliation, but at the start of added time Wilfred Ndidi made it five from the middle of the box.
Leicester kept focused on hungry until the end as they retake third place in the Premier League table.
Here’s how we rated the Leicester players:
Kasper Schmeichel - 7
Was an on-looker for the majority with very little to do.
Ricardo Pereira - 8.5
Another fantastic performance in attack and defence, with goals in back-to-back games for Leicester’s reigning Player of the Season.
Jonny Evans - 8
Evans always looked in control and always in the right place at the right time.
Caglar Soyuncu - 8
Soyuncu continued his brilliant start to the season with a very solid display at the back.
Ben Chilwell - 7
Chilwell got into good positions, but wasted a few opportunities with poor final balls.
Wilfred Ndidi - 8.5
Ndidi was superb, covering the back-four with an elite performance. The defensive midfielder was everywhere, winning possession back all over the pitch. He also took his goal well in the final minutes.
Dennis Praet - 8
Praet played well in his first start at the King Power. Playing in Tielemans’ usual role, Praet was tidy in possession and was composed throughout.
Youri Tielemans - 9
Tielemans was given a more attacking midfield role with the absence of James Maddison and put in a magnificent display. The Belgian always looked for a killer ball forwards and was a threat on the ball all afternoon.
Ayoze Perez - 7
Perez had a fairly ineffective game against his former side. He had a good chance to opening the scoring early, but failed to be the keeper.
Harvey Barnes - 7
Barnes also had a fairly average performance. The young winger made a few good touches and passes, however, didn’t really threaten the opposition defence too much.
Jamie Vardy - 9
Vardy didn’t get much to work with in the first 45 minutes, but the second-half the forward got some service and showed how dangerous he can be when he gets the ball in the box with two excellent finishes.
Subs: Marc Albrighton - 7.5
Put in a classic Albrighton performance. Worked tirelessly down the left flank and put in a fantastic cross for Vardy’s second.
Hamza Choudhury - 7
Choudhury’s energy of the bench was electric, as ever giving everything he had.