By Daily Sports on April 13, 2019

Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday.

Rafael Benitez’s side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Perez’s first half header at the King Power Stadium.

Newcastle’s first away league win since December ended a run of four games without a victory which had threatened to drag them into the relegation dogfight.

They should be assured of maintaining their top-flight status after a difficult season tarnished by Benitez's discontent over a lack of backing in the transfer market from controversial owner Mike Ashley.

Leicester remain seventh after a first home defeat for boss Brendan Rodgers since his move from Celtic in February.

Salomon Rondon almost gave Newcastle the lead midway through the first half with a ferocious 30-yard free-kick that cannoned back off the woodwork.

Leicester went close when Ben Chilwell exchanged passes with James Maddison before hitting a low strike that Martin Dubravka kept out.

Miguel Almiron spun away from the Leicester defence and forced Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel into action with a powerful effort.

Harvey Barnes was a constant threat for Leicester and he surged past two defenders for a shot which Dubravka was equal to.

But it was Perez who broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute as the Spanish winger met Matt Ritchie’s cross with a glancing header that flashed over Schmeichel.

Perez wasted a good chance to double Newcastle’s lead early in the second half when he volleyed wide from Rondon’s cross.

Almiron fared no better after Fabian Schar carried the ball out of Newcastle’s defence and picked out his teammate with a superb pass that demanded a better finish than the hurried shot that cleared the crossbar.

The last time Leicester won a Premier League game in which they trailed at half was in October 2015 against West Bromwich Albion. (SuperSport)

•Photo shows Ayoze Perez 

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 13, 2019

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