‘Magician’ Guimaraes to the rescue as Newcastle come back to sink Leicester

NEWCASTLE: They call him a magician on Tyneside — and now the world knows why.

Bruno Guimaraes produced a match-winning, two-goal performance to take Newcastle United 12 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and put a dent in Leicester City’s European hopes.

Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for the visitors with a low drive through a crowded area after a well-worked corner routine. United soon bit back, though, as VAR approved Guimaraes’ first on home soil after a goalkeeping error by Kasper Schmeichel.

And with the game looking destined for a draw, the $52million January signing lit up Tyneside with a stretching, sprawling, diving header to claim an unlikely three points against Brendan Rodgers’ Europa League-chasing Foxes.

Eddie Howe made just the one enforced change at St James’ Park as Miguel Almiron started with Ryan Fraser injured.

The Paraguayan had a positive impact early on as United, under the rare Tyneside sun, pressed high and caused headaches for the Leicester backline.

Joelinton, whose impressive form has dipped of late, fired over from a tight angle, while Jonjo Shelvey tested Schmeichel from distance.

However, it was the visitors who drew first blood.

Their sharpness at the breakdown and transition served them well through the middle and the main catalyst of their breaks, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, turned provider for the opener. His low corner, straight from the training ground playbook, was flicked on at the front post by former United man Ayoze Perez and Lookman burst on to it at the edge of the area to crash home through a crowded area. Watching it back, Martin Dubravka will be disappointed he was unable to keep it out.

A Leicester goal at the King Power Stadium in December