Neither Manager Blames Referee

Last updated : 09 April 2018 By Footy Mad - Editor

Leicester could have had a penalty ... and a player sent off ... but neither manager moaned about "what could be".

Image result for Leicester 1 Newcastle 2Leicester manager Claude Puel: "It was not enough today. We wasted a fantastic opportunity for this team to believe in themselves. It was not enough in the first half, it was better in the second half with our reaction, but it's a shame. We will discuss together.

"We know when we play sometimes like today against a team with a strong defensive unit, we have to play quickly and with quality. It was too slow. We believe in ourselves to come back with a good mentality, hard work in training and prepare for our next game with a good feeling."

On Riyad Mahrez's penalty appeal: "Yeah, he [Paul Dummet] touched his foot, for me it is a penalty."

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "It was amazing, the effort of the players, the way they were working, creating chances and the connection with the fans, who were amazing too.

"Leicester are always dangerous, they have the players who can hurt you, but we had three or four counter attacks where we could have done better. You cannot complain. We are closer [to safety] but we have to carry on. Nearly, but we have to carry on."

On whether Harry Maguire should have been sent off: "I have had players sent off just for touching the face of a player. I cannot argue too much. And the main thing for us was the performance of the team, we deserved to win."

THE STATS:

◾Newcastle recorded their first victory at the King Power Stadium in all competitions, having previously lost three and drawn two.
◾It was a first defeat for Leicester in seven home Premier League games, since a 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace in December (won two, drawn four).
◾Newcastle have won three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since September.
◾Ayoze Perez both scored and assisted in a single Premier League game for just the third time in his career and first time since October 2015 v Norwich.
◾Jonjo Shelvey scored his first Premier League goal in 868 days, with that strike also his first for Newcastle in the top flight (39 appearances).
◾Jamie Vardy has scored in seven of his last nine Premier League appearances.

What's next?

Newcastle host Arsenal at St James' Park in the Sunday lunchtime kick-off (13:30 BST).