Premier League! Late Mahrez Goal Helps Leicester City Beat Newcastle 3-2

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Premier League! Late Mahrez Goal Helps Leicester City Beat Newcastle 3-2

Leicester won a third successive Premier League match as Ayoze Perez’s own goal gave them victory in a thrilling encounter with Newcastle.

The Spanish striker made his decisive contribution with four minutes to go, poking the ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Shinji Okazaki scoring.

The Foxes had made a terrible start as their hosts – roared on by a vocal home crowd following pre-game celebrations to mark the club’s 125th anniversary – took the lead in the sixth minute courtesy of Joselu’s close-range finish.

The visitors rallied quickly and restored parity when Mikel Merino’s loose pass gave them possession and began an attack that Riyad Mahrez ended with a superb 25-yard, left-footed drive into the top corner.

Demarai Gray put them in front after the break with a shot that found the net via a deflection off Florian Lejeune before Dwight Gayle levelled matters with a shot that came off Harry Maguire, but City would have the final word.

It was an excellent victory for Claude Puel’s side, who have now earned 17 points from eight league games since Craig Shakespeare was sacked in October – a run of form that has taken them up to eighth.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have taken just one point from their past seven matches and the cushion between them and the relegation zone is just two points.

Defeat also represents the first time boss Rafa Benitez – who has previously managed Liverpool and Chelsea – has suffered three straight Premier League losses.