Premier League
Newcastle United 4 (Barnes 36’, 90’; Joelinton 55’, Guimarães 90’)
Leeds United 3 (Aaronson 32’, 79’; Calvert-Lewin 45’)
Newcastle: Pope (GK), Hall, Schär (Ramsey 75’), Joelinton, Tonali (Livramento 46’), Gordon (J Murphy 81’), Barnes, Thiaw (Botman 46’), Woltemade (Wissa 75’), Guimarães (C), Miley. Subs not used: Ramsdale (GK), Trippier, Willock, A Murphy.
Leeds: Perri (GK), Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon (Bornauw 90’), Calvert-Lewin (Nmecha 87’), Aaronson (Gnonto 90’), Bijol, Stach (Okafor 80’), Justin, Gruev (Tanaka 90’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Piroe, Harrison, Byram.
Venue: St. James’ Park
Attendance: 52,176
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Booked: Thiaw, Gordon, Joelinton (Newcastle) Calvert-Lewin, Ampadu (Leeds)
Leeds United’s impressive seven-match unbeaten run came to a crushing end in heartbreaking fashion, conceding after over 100 minutes of action to fall to defeat against Newcastle United.
Having netted three themselves – a brace for Brenden Aaronson and penalty for Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the hosts instead cruelly snatched all three points deep into injury time.
Ahead of kick off on a bitterly cold evening on Tyneside, Daniel Farke had named two changes to the side that were held to a draw last time out, recalling skipper Ethan Ampadu and defender Joe Rodon into the starting lineup.
The Whites started brightly, forcing the home team to defend early on with Joelinton twice well placed to clear dangerous deliveries into the middle from Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The former then whipped in a teasing set-piece which, rising above the rest, Pascal Struijk glanced over Nick Pope’s upright.
After withstanding the early pressure, Newcastle thought they had taken the lead when Fabian Schär poked in from close range, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Excellent tenacity from Ilia Gruev then saw the Bulgarian international dispossess a black and white shirt, teeing up the onrushing Stach on the edge of the area who forced the Magpies’ stopper into a necessary intervention.
Struijk was again a threat up from the back, meeting another Stach out-swinging corner but the centre-half was unable to trouble Pope before the German lashed over moments later.
Despite the Whites enjoying the best of the opening period, Farke’s side still had to be wary of the threat within the Newcastle ranks as Perri got down well to deny Harvey Barnes.
Immediately, down the other end, the pressure finally told! Leading marksmen Calvert-Lewin this time turned provider, wrestling back possession and releasing Aaronson deep in opposition territory. The American international took a touch and, 20 yards out, drilled a fierce low drive into the bottom corner!
The lead was to be short-lived, however, as Barnes profited on a loose ball inside the area and bundled home beyond Perri.
Deep into injury time, United were awarded a penalty when Malick Thiaw handled, attempting to defend a looping set-piece. Up stepped Calvert-Lewin, making no mistake from 12 yards to net his ninth goal of the Premier League season!
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United
Farke’s team emerged from the break unchanged. The packed out away end was unrelenting too, not letting the altitude dampen an impressive atmosphere in the North East.
The Whites were again on the front foot in the early stages. A bursting Stach run from deep saw the midfielder maraud into the Newcastle half, releasing Aaronson who forced a fine save from the outstretched boot of Pope.
Joelinton levelled proceedings 10 minutes into the second half, glancing a deft header into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Perri.
Looking to swiftly retake the lead, quick feet from Jaka Bijol inside the Magpies’ penalty area then saw the Slovenian slide an inviting low delivery across the face of goal which the retreating Schär dealt with before Calvert-Lewin could tap in.
The frantic game had become very open and, immediately down the other end, excellent positioning from James Justin allowed the full-back to stoop and head clear as Anthony Gordon looked to get on the end of a Barnes cross.
It was Ampadu’s defensive abilities to be called upon next, getting a crucial touch to force a delivery behind. From the resulting corner, Perri made an impressive double save to keep the scores level.
With just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining, the woodwork was left shaking! Justin, towering at the back post, met Gudmundsson’s out-swinging ball, beating Pope only for the crossbar to come to the hosts’ rescue.
If the frame of the goal had denied Leeds a first time, shortly afterwards it would help bring a third! Gruev in the heart of midfield did superbly, wrestling back possession and releasing Aaronson on the right. Darting into the area, the in-form forward fired low across Pope and into the back of the net off the far post!
In a back-and-forth affair, substitute Yoanne Wissa went close for Eddie Howe’s team, flashing a half-volley wide before referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot after a handball inside the area which Bruno Guimarães converted.
Despite such a spirited display, the home side cruelly snatched all three points after the allotted injury time had been played through Barnes’ second of the evening.
Attentions now turn to Emirates FA Cup duties at the weekend. Leeds United travel to Sky Bet Championship side Derby County on Sunday afternoon.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 4-3 Leeds United
