Newcastle 0-2 Leicester: Foxes add to Magpies' problems

Harry Maguire scored his second goal of the season with a second-half header

Newcastle's miserable start to the season continued as goals from Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire gave Leicester a comfortable away victory.

In a game of few chances, striker Vardy broke the deadlock from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark after DeAndre Yedlin handled a Maguire shot.

With England manager Gareth Southgate watching at St James' Park, defender Maguire doubled the Foxes' lead with a second-half header.

Newcastle remain without a win this season, and fans made their anger known in chants aimed at owner Mike Ashley throughout the game.

Ashley - attending his first home match since May 2017 - appeared to respond with wry smiles.

• Maddison 'definitely good enough for England'

Ricardo Pereira had the first chance to open the scoring for Leicester, cleverly cutting infield before his shot - destined for the bottom corner - was pushed wide by Martin Dubravka.

Vardy found a way through, though - coolly slotting home his third goal of the season.

Jonjo Shelvey went closest for Newcastle in the first half with a speculative lob from his own half which a back-tracking Kasper Schmeichel only just kept out.

The hosts looked more positive in the second half, but Maguire's second goal of the season consigned them to their fifth defeat of 2018-19.

Ashley anger continues to bubble

Ashley's first appearance of the season at a Newcastle match was for their goalless draw at Crystal Palace last weekend, with manager Rafa Benitez saying his presence was "positive" for the club.

But fans - angry at what they say is a lack of investment in the club - protested against the Magpies owner, who has been in charge since 2007, both before and during Leicester's visit to the north east.

On an otherwise quiet day at St James' Park, chants of 'stand up if you hate Ashley' were sung by the Newcastle faithful. Ashley appeared to smile in response.

The negative attitude was reflected on the pitch, too, with Newcastle limited to few chances and the visitors dominating.

With Shelvey's flamboyant effort arguably their best chance of the first half, Schmeichel was scarcely troubled after the break - substitute Jacob Murphy going closest late on when his shot from outside the area drifted wide.

Ayoze Perez did have two penalty appeals following challenges from Maguire, but both were waved away by referee Simon Hooper.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley watched on at St James' Park

Southgate sees past, present and possibly future

Leicester controlled play from the off, with James Maddison a constant threat through the middle.

After Pereira's early effort, England international Maguire went close with a downward header, which Dubravka had to push over the crossbar.

Maguire was involved in the penalty, too. After five consecutive Leicester corners, he went for a half-volley in the box which cannoned off Yedlin's arm.

A composed Vardy finished neatly from the spot, the ball creeping under Dubravka, for his second goal in as many weekends.

The former England striker was left in a heap midway through the second half, however, after a painful collision with Shelvey, and was soon substituted.

Maddison - rumoured to be in contention for a Three Lions call-up - was also replaced late on, leaving to a great reception from the travelling fans.

Man of the match - Harry Maguire (Leicester)

A composed stalwart in the Leicester defence and a threat in the box, centre-back Maguire (right) scored a well-deserved second goal of the season and had several more chances

What they said

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez: "Obviously I am disappointed. We conceded two goals from set-pieces and didn't take our chances.

"The second goal killed us mentally. Leicester were well-organised and worked hard and they have some good players.

"When you concede, it is always difficult for you. When things are not going in your favour you concede penalties like that.

"We have to manage the squad. We tried to be more offensive but we didn't take our chances and we were exposed in the second half. The team is working hard, you cannot complain about that.

"I have not spoken to Mike Ashley today, but if he is around it is positive. We have to concentrate with things on the pitch."

Leicester manager Claude Puel: "Of course I am satisfied. It was a strong performance against a good team. We continue to play on the floor with quality.

"We had fantastic discipline. It was a tough game. People will say Newcastle are in difficulty but they have quality.

"Harry Maguire's first game of the season was difficult for him without much pre-season, but this afternoon he played very well. Congratulations to him. He always has a positive attitude and he is a fantastic guy.

"James Maddison continues to give his best and improve. He has to continue that work and we will see in the future."

The stats

• Newcastle have lost their opening four home games in a league season for the first time in their history.

• Leicester have won three consecutive away games in all competitions against Newcastle for the first time since November 1965.

• Since the start of last season, no team has lost more home Premier League games than Newcastle (11, level with Huddersfield).

• Newcastle failed to have a single shot on target against Leicester in the second half.

• Maddison has been directly involved in five goals in his past six Premier League games (three goals, two assists).

• Maguire has scored two goals in seven Premier League appearances this season, the same total he managed in 38 games for the Foxes in 2017-18.

• Since returning to the Premier League in 2014, only Manchester City have taken (33) and scored (25) more penalties than Leicester (31 taken, 24 scored).

• Vardy has scored 11 of his 13 penalties taken in the Premier League, netting each of his past four efforts from the penalty spot.

What's next?

It is a trip to Old Trafford for Newcastle next week as they face Manchester United in Saturday's late kick-off (17:30 BST), while Leicester welcome Everton to the King Power Stadium earlier in the day (15:00 BST).