Saturday’s success was only the Magpies’ third in the Premier League since mid-September, but such is the congestion in the middle part of the table that they are four points off fourth-placed Manchester City before a key run of fixtures.
Whether Howe’s team can finally generate some momentum remains to be seen, but there were positive signs against Van Nistelrooy’s team as they caused the Foxes numerous problems down the left-hand side in the first half.
Gordon was particularly lively, forcing Hermansen into a brilliant one-handed save inside the first 10 minutes before teeing up Murphy for the opener.
They should have been further ahead at the break, but any fears the home fans may have had about Newcastle’s first-half profligacy coming back to haunt them were firmly put to bed early in the second period thanks to the close-range finishes from Guimaraes and Isak.
Tonali and Barnes could have got in on the act, but Murphy’s second of the game proved to be the final flourish on a near-perfect afternoon for the hosts, who ended the game with 27 attempts and 11 on target.
After travelling to Ipswich next weekend, the Magpies face fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham in their subsequent three league fixtures.
First up, however, is Wednesday’s home Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford, who beat Newcastle in the Premier League just last weekend.
More to follow
Belgium
