Newcastle 2014-15 Season Review - 6 Best (And 6 Worst) NUFC Performances

3. Leicester City 1-0 Newcastle United (FA Cup Third Round - January 3rd, 2015)

Speaking of bitter cup exits - this was another one. For the ninth season in succession, Newcastle had failed to reach even the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Magpies headed for the King Power Stadium for their FA Cup third-round tie with Leicester City on January 3rd, knowing the Foxes were targeting the Premier League instead - because they were rock bottom of the table and struggling to survive. John Carver, who was into his second match as caretaker boss of Newcastle following Alan Pardew's exit for Crystal Palace, took his side to the Midlands in mid-table and (in theory, although it proved not to be the case) comfortable. While Newcastle supporters wanted to win the FA Cup, the Magpies hierarchy had other ideas - and Ayoze Perez was rested, while several other first teamers were left out due to mystery "injuries". Leonardo Ulloa scored a header for Leicester after 39 minutes and, aside from a majestic strike from Remy Cabella that was ruled out for offside, Newcastle never threatened to equalise. They lost the match 1-0. Newcastle United's season was effectively over by January 3rd - or at least it should have been. Knocked out of both domestic cups, mid-table on 27 points with 18 games still remaining, the Magpies should have just coasted to safety. But instead the campaign capitulated under Carver.