One Newcastle United leader flew under the radar in the emphatic 3-0 win over Leicester City.
It was a very comfortable evening for Newcastle United, with Jacob Murphy firing the visitors into the lead two minutes in before doubling his tally minutes later.
Harvey Barnes scored against his former club to put the game out of sight, and in the second half, Newcastle were able to take their foot off the gas.
Eddie Howe has been keen to keep Newcastle focused on their Premier League campaign ever since the Carabao Cup victory. Monday evening’s dominant victory put the Magpies in a strong position for Champions League qualification.
It was a professional and well-executed performance by Newcastle, and while Murphy and Barnes will steal the headlines, there was one star who flew under the radar.
Kieran Trippier was nearly flawless for Newcastle vs Leicester
Howe named an unchanged XI on Monday, keeping faith in the same Newcastle players who started at Wembley against Liverpool.
With Lewis Hall out injured, Tino Livramento has been filling in at left-back with Kieran Trippier on the right of the back four.
Trippier could leave Newcastle this summer, but the 34-year-old is still adding plenty of value to this side with his experience and leadership.
In a game where Newcastle easily could have lost focus and grown complacent, Trippier was nearly flawless.
| Minutes played | 87 |
| Touches | 72 |
| Passes completed | 70% (33/47) |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Crosses completed | 100% (1/1) |
| Dribbles completed | 100% (2/2) |
| Ground duels won | 66% (2/3) |
| Aerial duels won | 100% (4/4) |
Where will Kieran Trippier go this summer?
Trippier asked to leave Newcastle in January but Howe was eager to keep him around.
It turned out to be a stroke of genius as Trippier was needed by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, and he delivered a brilliant performance at Wembley.
However, it seems an exit is inevitable this summer with Newcastle ready to sanction Trippier’s exit.
Trippier came close to moving to Turkey over the winter, and Turkish clubs could reignite interest in his signature this summer.
Trippier is out of contract this summer and, unlike Fabian Schar’s new deal, it doesn’t seem like an agreement is on the horizon.
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