Leicester City move five points clear of their nearest rivals Spurs as Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge of Newcastle ends in defeat.
“You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
It was a cheeky chorus from loved up Leicester fans as Rafa Benitez’s bid to save Newcastle United from relegation started with a defeat at the hands of the league leaders.
The difference between teams that win league titles, and those that fall through the trapdoor, is one wins lousy games, and the other doesn’t. Leicester find a second gear when they play against the big boys. After this performance it’s clear that they also no how to avoid slipping on a banana skin or two.
Newcastle were a different side to the one that only managed six Premier League wins under Steve McClaren. They ran, they harried, and they fought hard as they looked every inch a team united in their attempt to save their bacon.
Benitez’s influence was there for everyone to see. They started the better side and had all of the chances, but Shinzi Okazaki produced a magical moment in the 24th minute when his overhead kick hit the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Marc Albrighton nearly made it two-nil when his curling shot narrowly avoided the bottom of the corner moments later, but chances were few and far between as most of the action was condensed in the middle of the park. As evidence, Leicester only had one shot on target all game and that was that 24th minute goal.
There are many reasons I believe Leicester will win the Premier League this season. The first is their work rate. They bomb forward, but those who don’t fill in nicely. They soon bomb back. Take Riyad Mahrez; the Algerian Player of the Year candidate is a little magician, but he also works so hard for the team – fighting, scrapping and snapping at heels.
The other reason Leicester have been so successful is they always seem to be able to field the same side. Even the substitutions are like clockwork. They don’t possess the largesse of the other big clubs. They have a small squad. So it’s been critical that everyone stays fit and healthy and the core of the team has.
Newcastle fans will be disappointed with the result, but they are able to heart from the performance. I think Norwich are down. That leaves a straight up fight between the two North East neighbours. The two face off in the early kick off on Sunday, and I believe whoever loses that match will find themselves playing Championship football at the end of the season.
Newcastle’s Remaining Fixtures
Sunderland (H)
Norwich (A)
Southampton (A)
Swansea (H)
Liverpool (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Spurs (H)
Man City (H)
Leicester’s Remaining Fixtures
Crystal Palace (A)
Southampton (H)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Swansea (H)
Man Utd (A)
Everton (H)
Chelsea (A)
Premier League Title Winning Odds
Leicester 4/5
Spurs 5/2
Arsenal 6/1
Premier League Standings (After 30 Games)
1st. Leicester – 63 pts.
2nd. Spurs – 58 pts.
3rd. Arsenal – 52 pts.
4th. Man City – 51 pts.
5th. West Ham – 49 pts.
6th. Man Utd – 47 pts.
7th. Southampton – 44 pts.
8th. Liverpool – 44 pts.
9th. Stoke – 43 pts.
10th. Chelsea – 40 pts.
11th. West Brom – 39 pts.
12th. Everton – 38 pts.
13th. Bournemouth – 38 pts.
14th. Watford – 37 pts.
15th. Crystal Palace – 33 pts.
16th. Swansea – 33 pts.
17th. Sunderland – 25 pts.
18th. Norwich – 25 pts.
19th. Newcastle – 24 pts.
20th. Aston Villa – 16 pts.
