2003/4 NEWCASTLE UTD 3 LEICESTER CITY 1
NEWCASTLE: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Woodgate, Bernard, Dyer (Ambrose 69), Jenas, Speed, Viana, Ameobi (Bellamy 79), Shearer (Bridges 79).Subs Not Used: Harper, Bramble.
LEICESTER: Walker, Impey (Sinclair 62), Taggart, Thatcher, Guppy (Stewart 73), Dickov, Freund, Scimeca, Davidson, Scowcroft (Ferdinand 64), Bent.Subs Not Used: Coyne, Hignett.
Att: 52,125
Newcastle stepped up their challenge for a Champions League spot as they compounded struggling Leicester's misery.
Sir Bobby Robson's men were not at their best and had to survive an uncomfortable opening half-hour as the visitors made a good fist of things.
However, once they got their noses in front, courtesy of Shola Ameobi's first goal since November, they never looked back.
Ameobi's 25th-minute strike was followed by a Gerry Taggart own goal before the break, and the points were secure when Jermaine Jenas headed home his first of the season 14 minutes after the restart with substitute Les Ferdinand's late header coming as little consolation to the Foxes.
Newcastle have now lost just two of their last 18 in the Barclaycard Premiership, while City are without a win in 12 in all competitions and face a tough run-in to the end of the season.
A moment's silence was immaculately observed before kick-off in memory of Bob Stokoe, the former Newcastle defender who managed Sunderland to FA Cup glory in 1973.
The irony of the fact that he played in the Newcastle side which won the same trophy in 1955 will not have been lost on the black and white faithful, who have waited in vain since for another piece of domestic silverware, something which will not arrive at St James' Park this season.
They will settle instead for further success in the UEFA Cup and a place in the Champions League, and to achieve the latter, they needed to win games like this comfortably.
However, although they were firmly in the driving seat by half-time, it was anything but comfortable as the Foxes, still smarting from their 5-0 home drubbing by Aston Villa last weekend, arrived determined to restore some of their battered pride.
Indeed, for the best part of half an hour, they caused the greater problems as a Newcastle side shorn of the injured Laurent Robert and the departed Nolberto Solano lacked genuine width and struggled to bring Ameobi and Alan Shearer into play with any regularity.
In the end, they were helped in no small part by some less than effective defending which served to galvanise them for an improved display.
Ameobi had flashed a header wide and Kieron Dyer had seen a well-struck shot palmed away by Ian Walker when, with 29 minutes gone, the Magpies finally forced their way in front.
Shearer flicked on Shay Given's clearance and Andy Impey instinctively headed the ball across the edge of his own penalty area, where Ameobi instantly lashed a left-foot shot past the wrong-footed keeper to make it 1-0.
It was two six minutes later when Shearer dived in at the near post in an attempt to reach Olivier Bernard's cross and although he missed, Taggart sliced the ball on to the underside of his own crossbar and, referee Steve Dunn ruled after consulting his assistant, over the line.
For their part, Leicester, led by fiery skipper Paul Dickov, continued to scrap and fight, but an uphill challenge had become too steep.
Newcastle immediately took charge after the restart as Ameobi started to come to the fore once again, the striker heading a Hugo Viana cross wide on 53 minutes after earlier treating Taggart to a few of his tricks.
But it was Jenas who eventually extended his side's lead, profiting from Shearer's industry on the right to meet his skipper's cross with a simple header past Walker after sprinting into the penalty area unopposed.
James Scowcroft might have pulled one back for the visitors on 62 minutes, but failed to connect with Ben Thatcher's low cross, meaning that the home fans were able to greet former Toon Army hero Ferdinand's introduction two minutes later in better mood than they might have done.
But with the game won, Robson was able to hand a rest to both Shearer - who seconds earlier had driven a right-foot shot just wide - and Ameobi on 79 minutes as Craig Bellamy and debutant Michael Bridges got their chance.
However, it was Ferdinand who provided the late cameo, heading fellow substitute Jordan Stewart's cross past Given at the near post to the applause of the vast majority of a crowd of 52,125.
TOON v LEICESTER - FULL HISTORY:-
2003/2004 Sat 07 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester City Premiership
Fri 26 Dec Leicester City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
2001/2002 Sat 19 Jan Leicester City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Wed 26 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City Premiership
2000/2001 Sat 28 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City Premiership
Sat 11 Nov Leicester City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1999/2000 Sat 15 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Leicester City Premiership
Tue 28 Dec Leicester City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1998/1999 Sat 08 May Leicester City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 19 Dec Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City Premiership
1997/1998 Wed 29 Apr Leicester City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 01 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 3 Leicester City Premiership
1996/1997 Sun 02 Feb Newcastle Utd. 4 - 3 Leicester City Premiership
Sat 26 Oct Leicester City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1994/1995 Sat 10 Dec Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester City Premiership
Sun 21 Aug Leicester City 1 - 3 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1992/1993 Sun 09 May Newcastle Utd. 7 - 1 Leicester City League Division One
Sat 31 Oct Leicester City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. League Division One
1991/1992 Sat 02 May Leicester City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 12 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City Second Division
1990/1991 Sat 02 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Leicester City Second Division
Sat 01 Dec Leicester City 5 - 4 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1989/1990 Sat 13 Jan Newcastle Utd. 5 - 4 Leicester City Second Division
Sat 26 Aug Leicester City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1986/1987 Sat 04 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City First Division
Sat 08 Nov Leicester City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1985/1986 Sat 03 May Leicester City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 30 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1984/1985 Wed 20 Mar Newcastle Utd. 1 - 4 Leicester City First Division
Sat 25 Aug Leicester City 2 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1982/1983 Sat 26 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Leicester City Second Division
Sat 13 Nov Leicester City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1981/1982 Sat 10 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Leicester City Second Division
Tue 02 Mar Leicester City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1979/1980 Sat 02 Feb Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 15 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Leicester City Second Division
1978/1979 Sat 17 Mar Leicester City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 07 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City Second Division
1977/1978 Sat 29 Apr Leicester City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 03 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1976/1977 Wed 04 May Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 09 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1975/1976 Sat 13 Dec Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 23 Aug Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1974/1975 Sat 05 Apr Leicester City 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 26 Oct Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1973/1974 Sat 23 Mar Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Leicester City First Division
Sat 10 Nov Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1972/1973 Sat 31 Mar Leicester City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Mon 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Leicester City First Division
1971/1972 Sat 04 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City First Division
Sat 13 Nov Leicester City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1968/1969 Sat 11 Jan Leicester City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 02 Nov Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1967/1968 Wed 03 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Leicester City First Division
Sat 04 Nov Leicester City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1966/1967 Sat 06 May Leicester City 4 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 01 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1965/1966 Sat 16 Apr Leicester City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 20 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 5 Leicester City First Division
1960/1961 Sat 11 Feb Leicester City 5 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 24 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 3 Leicester City First Division
1959/1960 Sat 23 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Leicester City First Division
Sat 12 Sep Leicester City 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1958/1959 Sat 28 Feb Leicester City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 11 Oct Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1957/1958 Sat 15 Mar Newcastle Utd. 5 - 3 Leicester City First Division
Sat 02 Nov Leicester City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1954/1955 Sat 05 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City First Division
Sat 18 Sep Leicester City 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1947/1948 Sat 31 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester City Second Division
Sat 13 Sep Leicester City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1946/1947 Sat 19 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Leicester City Second Division
Thu 20 Feb Leicester City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 08 Feb Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Leicester City F.A. Cup
Sat 14 Dec Leicester City 2 - 4 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1936/1937 Sat 13 Feb Leicester City 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 10 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City Second Division
1935/1936 Thu 19 Mar Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 19 Oct Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester City Second Division
1933/1934 Sat 31 Mar Leicester City 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 18 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1932/1933 Sat 21 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Leicester City First Division
Sat 10 Sep Leicester City 0 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1931/1932 Tue 29 Mar Leicester City 4 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Fri 25 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Leicester City First Division
Sat 13 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester City F.A. Cup
1930/1931 Sat 18 Apr Leicester City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 13 Dec Newcastle Utd. 5 - 2 Leicester City First Division
1929/1930 Sat 18 Jan Leicester City 6 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 14 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1928/1929 Sat 02 Feb Leicester City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 22 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester City First Division
1927/1928 Sat 07 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 5 Leicester City First Division
Sat 26 Nov Leicester City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1926/1927 Sat 07 May Leicester City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 18 Dec Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Leicester City First Division
1925/1926 Mon 22 Feb Leicester City 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 19 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Leicester City First Division
1924/1925 Thu 05 Feb Leicester City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 31 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Leicester City F.A. Cup
1909/1910 Sat 05 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Leicester F F.A. Cup
1908/1909 Sat 02 Jan Leicester F 0 - 4 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 05 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester F First Division
1897/1898 Sat 09 Apr Leicester F 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 22 Jan Newcastle Utd. 4 - 2 Leicester F Second Division
1896/1897 Sat 09 Jan Leicester F 5 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 14 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Leicester F Second Division
1895/1896 Tue 07 Apr Leicester F 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Wed 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Leicester F Second Division
1894/1895 Sat 20 Oct Leicester F 4 - 4 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 29 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Leicester F Second Division