Leicester set unwanted Football League record as miserable Premier League run continues with Newcastle defeat

Leicester have found themselves on the wrong side of history after their dismal 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle moved them even closer to relegation.

Jacob Murphy made the early breakthrough after tapping in a cross at the far post and he soon doubled his tally, touching home when Fabian Schar’s audacious effort from the halfway line cannoned back off the crossbar.

Harvey Barnes, on the books at the King Power between 2016 and 2023, then added a ruthless third for the Champions League-chasing visitors.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side remain 19th in the Premier League and are 15 points adrift of safety after losing 22 of their 31 top-flight matches to date.

But their latest defeat, which again saw them booed off by a dwindling home crowd at the half-time break, also set an unwanted – and embarrassing – record.

Indeed, Leicester are now the first team in the history of the Football League to lose eight consecutive home league games without scoring a single goal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side look certain to be relegated, potentially in the next two games

The Magpies scored two quick goals before former Foxes forward Harvey Barnes added a third

Damningly, the Foxes have gone over 12 hours without finding the back of the net in the top-flight. Their most recent goal came on January 26 in their 2-1 victory away at Tottenham, a freak flash in the pan with relegation appearing inevitable.

Leicester are also the second side in top division history to go eight straight home games without scoring, after Manchester City between January and May 2007. 

In addition, the club have lost 11 home matches in a single campaign for the first time.

With just seven games remaining, Leicester are hovering above the trap door with only Southampton, who were officially relegated on Sunday, below them. 

The equation for Van Nistelrooy’s charges is simple. Leicester will be relegated if 17th-placed Wolves win their next two games, or if the Foxes lose their next two.

Post-match, the Dutchman could give no assurances over his uncertain future. 

‘Of course it’s difficult,’ Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports. ‘You come here to do well and work together with great people here at the club and the players, and of course when you can’t get results that is very disappointing. 

‘The intent has always been there to bring the club further. The club is the most important thing, and what’s best for the club you always have to consider and that’s I think the place where we are now.

‘This is a difficult night, especially also in the run of form that we’re in. It’s important to analyse this, and sleep on it, and recover from it and that’s it for now.’

Pressed on his comments, he added: ‘No, there’s no questions, it’s just dealing with this set back, another one, and that’s for now what I can say.’