Nolberto Solano fired Newcastle to victory over Leicester - but they were made to fight all the way for the points last night.

The home side were in charge for much of the game, especially after the Peruvian had given them a 33rd-minute lead, but, despite enjoying a wealth of possession, they could not kill the game off as keeper Ian Walker stood firm in the City goal.

Frenchman Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy threatened to run Peter Taylor's side ragged, but Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer allowed three good chances to go begging after seeing his side denied an early penalty. Robert appeared to be caught by Muzzy Izzet with just Walker to beat, but referee David Pugh was unmoved.

Newcastle's approach play was adequate but too often, the delivery into the danger area was not of sufficient quality to worry their opponents. The breakthrough arrived 12 minutes before half-time when Matt Elliott slipped as Bellamy ran on to Shearer's flick and squared for Solano to fire home.

However, the visitors rallied late in the half as an under-employed Newcastle defence creaked to allow James Scowcroft to see the white of Shay Given's eyes, although the keeper twice kept the striker at bay.

Shearer passed up a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 within two minutes of the restart after Leicester failed to cut out Bellamy's cross, and Robert could not find his skipper when he burst into the box minutes later.

Lee Marshall got in a perfectly-timed tackle to deny Robert a shot at goal after Shearer had split the Leicester defence, and Walker had to get down well to keep out a low free kick from the Newcastle number nine on 53 minutes.

Robert carved his way through the massed blue shirts seven minutes later only to see Bellamy's shot from his cut-back blocked by Elliott, and twice within a minute Shearer went agonisingly close with headers, first forcing a good stop from Walker and then missing the target by inches.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Griffin, Dabizas, O'Brien, Elliott, Solano, Acuna, Lee, Robert, Shearer (Ameobi 87), Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Harper, Bassedas, Lua-Lua, Distin. Booked: Dabizas, Acuna. Goals: Solano 33.

LEICESTER: Walker, Rowett (Sinclair 71), Elliott, Marshall, Impey, Savage, Izzet, Wise (Jones 70), Lewis, Sturridge (Akinbiyi 45), Scowcroft. Subs Not Used: Royce, Heath.

Booked: Rowett, Marshall, Sinclair.

Referee: D Pugh (Bebington).