All Whites striker Chris Wood has blasted a spot-kick to help Newcastle United to a 3-0 win over Leicester City and take his side up to second in the Premier League.
It was a welcome goal for the 31-year-old Kiwi, who played for Leicester from 2013-15 and was only in the team due to Callum Wilson being ruled out through illness.
Newcastle's great start continued when Miguel Almiron added a brilliant second in the seventh minute, cutting in from the right before playing a one-two with Bruno Guimaraes and slotting the return pass in at the far post.
Despite the return of league football following the World Cup break, there was little Christmas cheer for the home fans as Joelinton made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute when Boubakary Soumare was caught ball-watching at a corner and the Brazilian headed home.
In one of the first half's few bright attacking moments for the home side, Leicester's Zambian striker Patson Daka had a shout for a penalty turned down after a clash with keeper Nick Pope, but all too often the striker's decision-making let him down.
The introduction of Jamie Vardy at the break gave Leicester's attack a focal point that was sorely lacking in the first half, but Newcastle's well-organised defence restricted them to shots from distance that were easily dealt with.
Newcastle climbed above Manchester City, who play Leeds United on Wednesday, into second place on 33 points, four behind leaders Arsenal, who take on West Ham United later on Monday. Leicester are 13th on 17 points.
Newcastle 3 (Wood, Almiron, Joelinton)
Leicester City 0
Reuters.
