A brilliant first-header from Ayoze Perez guided Newcastle United closer to safety with a clean sheet 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Friday. The Magpies are 10 points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Newcastle made a breakthrough when Perez, who broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. The Spanish winger battled Wes Morgan and his attempt was successful as headed into the net giving no chance to Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes started well on their home turf but they couldn’t convert any chance into a goal despite having 72% possession.
With the crucial win at Leicester, the Magpies have moved to the 13th spot with one point lesser to Crystal Palace.
It was the first time for Rafael Benítez’s men to win back-to-back at Leicester in the Premier League since September 1959 under manager Charlie Mitten. They have now accumulated 16 points away this season (P17 W3 D7 L7), the same number of wins they earned in the whole of the 2017-18 campaign.
However, Benitez is not naïve enough to go a take-it-easy as the competitions among the teams in the second half of the table will still be fighting for higher level in next season.
“We’re not safe yet”, said the 58-year-old Spaniard.
With 38 points, the Magpies are just above Bournemouth owing to goal difference. Their position is not affirmative with Bournemouth are taking on Brighton on Saturday.
