Newcastle 3-1 Leicester

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Newcastle added to Leicester's relegation worries with a thumping win.

City started brightly but Shola Ameobi's volley put the Magpies ahead before Gerry Taggart deflected an Olivier Bernard cross into his net.

The home side dominated after the break and Ameobi went close with another header before the Magpies deservedly went 3-0 up when Jermaine Jenas netted.

Leicester pulled a consolation back when substitute Les Ferdinand scored late on against his former club.

Newcastle kept new loan-signing Michael Bridges and Craig Bellamy on the bench, while Gary Speed made his 400th Premiership appearance.

Leicester gave midfielder Steffen Freund a debut and recalled defender Taggart back following his loan spell at Stoke, as they looked to bounce back from the 5-0 home defeat by Aston Villa last week.

After a minute's silence for former Magpies stalwart Bob Stokoe, the game got off to a slow and tense start.

Leicester carved out the first opening in the ninth minute when Freund, who was at the heart of their early moves, surged down the right.

His cross was scuffed by Jenas into the path of Callum Davidson, whose shot flew wide from 20 yards.

KEY MOMENTS 30 mins: Ameobi puts Newcastle ahead 37 mins: Taggart own goal makes it 2-0 to Newcastle 59 mins: Jenas scored Newcastle's third goal 80 mins: Ferdinand pulls one back for Leicester.

But Newcastle came back strongly and Ameobi powered a header just wide from Hugo Viana's cross on 25 minutes, while Ian Walker palmed away a long-range Kieron Dyer effort.

The home side deservedly went ahead on 29 minutes when Ameobi blasted a 20-yard volley in after Andy Impey's header dropped to his left foot.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later when Bernard's cross was sliced by Taggart onto the bar before bouncing in.

The referee was initially unsure whether the ball had crossed the line but awarded the goal after consultation with his assistant - much to Leicester's fury.

Newcastle started the second half where they left off just before the break and Ameobi continued to cause Taggart problems.

The England U-21 international went close when he met another Viana cross with a firm header which went just wide.

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In a rare bright moment for Leicester, Andy O'Brien allowed Freund's long throw to bounce and Paul Dickov hooked an overhead kick weakly at Shay Given.

But it was no surprise when the Magpies added to their tally just before the hour when the unmarked Jenas headed in after Alan Shearer hooked a cross into the middle.

James Scowcroft just failed to make contact with Ben Thatcher's low cross in front of goal three minutes later and was replaced by former Newcastle favourite Ferdinand, who was given a warm reception.

And he pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time to give the visiting fans some belated cheer.

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Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Woodgate, Bernard, Dyer (Ambrose 69), Jenas, Speed, Viana, Ameobi (Bellamy 79), Shearer (Bridges 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Bramble.

Booked: Ambrose.

Leicester: Walker, Impey (Sinclair 62), Taggart, Thatcher, Guppy (Stewart 73), Dickov, Freund, Scimeca, Davidson, Scowcroft (Ferdinand 64), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Coyne, Hignett.

Booked: Thatcher, Dickov.

Attendance: 52,125.

Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).