Newcastle United breezed to another impressive away victory to stay in the conversation for both a Champions League place - and dare I say it a Premier League title challenge.
At a venue that once saw Newcastle celebrate top-flight safety in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Magpies offered evidence they are aiming for much bigger things these days. This game was arguably done and dusted inside the first seven minutes as Chris Wood's penalty and Miguel Almiron's ninth of the season had the hosts 2-0 down before some home fans had even taken their seats.
And it was certainly game over by 32 minutes as deflated Leicester went 3-0 down thanks to Joelinton's powerful header. By the end, Eddie Howe even had the luxury of giving some of his stars a breather as they strolled to victory.
READ MORE: Leicester City 0-2 Newcastle United
Howe's selection had looked a little dented somewhat by the absence of Callum Wilson who was struggling with an illness and left at home meaning Chris Wood led the line at the King Power Stadium. But it took Wood just 90 seconds to settle any match day nerves he might have had.
After Joelinton was shoved over in the box, ref Jarred Gillett pointed straight to the spot. Wood took on the responsibility after a wild challenge from Daniel Amartey sent Joelinton sprawling in the box.
The New Zealand international, facing his old club, then stepped up confidently before blasting the ball down the middle with Wales keeper Danny Ward diving to his left. But the dream start got even better with less than seven minutes gone.
This time Miguel Almiron, who latched on to a Kieran Trippier pass down the right, played a one-two with Bruno Guimaraes before a superbly timed run in the box with the Paraguay international steering home his ninth of the season. It was a moment of true class from Almiron as he ghosted between Wout Faes and Amartey before finding the finish.
Leicester were then forced into a change as Dennis Praet limped off injured after coming off worse in an aerial challenge with Joelinton and was replaced by Ayoze Perez. Leicester had a glimpse of goal mid-way through the first half but even after Patson Daka had got past Nick Pope, Sven Botman was on the line to sweep clear.
Former Bundesliga goal machine Daka got in again on 26 minutes but Botman dispossessed him in style before clearing the danger. A breakaway from Joelinton after half an hour saw him skip down the left but Ward sprinted out and cleared.
However, Newcastle soon went even further ahead as Trippier audaciously won a corner with a back-heel before then whipping the ball in at pace. This time, Joelinton climbed high at the back post to head home powerfully and beat Ward for a third time.
Wood tried a chip from distance three minutes before the break but it went just over after Joe Willock's pass from the left. Yet the Magpies had to settle for three at the break.
Leicester threw on Jamie Vardy at half-time in a desperate bid to try to get back into the game as he replaced Daka. Newcastle picked up where they left off after the interval with Botman volleying over three minutes into the second half.
The rate of chances went down for a period for Newcastle as Leicester tried to get back into the game. But United were still in a 3-0 commanding lead as the game went past the hour mark. A crucial block from Dan Burn denied Harvey Barnes on 61 minutes.
Willock won a corner on 67 minutes with the ball dropping for Almiron from Trippier's set-play but his shot was blocked. Another Trippier corner fell for Willock with 20 minutes to go but Ward gathered easily.
Leicester sub Kelechi Iheanacho had a go with 1 7 minutes left but his effort was high and wide. Leicester offered precious little more in the closing stages and the chances for United dried up.
But that didn't matter with the game won and Howe able to hand Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson and Matt Ritchie a taste of the action. Newcastle are looking like a serious contender for a Champions League place, the challenge may now be whether they can aim even higher...
As the fourth official displayed the added time at a near deserted King Power Stadium in the home sections, Newcastle fans chanted 'We're going to win the league'. In this form, they are building up a convincing argument that the Geordie faithful's dreams could come true.
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