Newcastle United will officially be playing in the Champions League next season after a goalless stalemate against Leicester City confirmed a top four finish for Eddie Howe’s side. The Magpies dominated the game and created several decent chances, but were unable to find the back of the net and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Leicester had only one shot in the entire game, and that came from Timothy Castagne in second half stoppage time. The shot required Magpies keeper Nick Pope to produce a good save- the only time he was tested in the game.
By comparison, Newcastle had plenty of opportunities, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes all going close, but despite finishing with a xG of over 2, they weren’t able to find a way past Iversen in the Foxes goal.
The point was a precious one for Leicester, but it also means their fate is no longer in their own hands. Should Everton beat Bournemouth in the final round of fixtures, the Foxes will go down, and the result of their own clash against West Ham will be immaterial. The Hammers are already safe though and their own attention will be on the Conference League final, where they will square off against Fiorentina.
