Report: Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United

Report: Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United

Leeds United leave St James' Park with all three points.

Premier League

Newcastle United 1 (Almiron 57)

Leeds United 2 (Raphinha 17, Harrison 61)

Newcastle: Darlow, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Murphy (Saint-Maximin 64), Hayden, Hendrick, Shelvey, Fraser (Gayle 77), Almiron, Wilson. Subs not used: Dubravka, Longstaff, Carroll, Joelinton, Ritchie, Krafth, Manquillo.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Llorente (Struijk 10), Alioski (Klich 55), Phillips, Dallas, Raphinha, Harrison, Rodrigo, Bamford (Roberts 59).  Subs not used: Casilla, Poveda, Costa, Hernandez, Davis, Shackleton.


It was a stop-start beginning to the game following an early injury to Newcastle defender Fabin Schar, before the hosts had the first chance, with Jonjo Shelvey firing wide with a low drive.

Leeds were then dealt a blow when Diego Llorente was injured and had to be replaced by Pascal Struijk, whilst Isaac Hayden also picked up a knock for the hosts inside 10 minutes.

Following a good advantage by referee Anthony Taylor, Leeds’ first opportunity came in the 12th minute. Stuart Dallas put in a lovely cross for Jack Harrison to strike a volley, but he scuffed his attempt wide.

Leeds took the lead five minutes later. Following some lovely build up play, Rodrigo laid the ball off to Raphinha just inside the box and he superbly slotted home into the bottom corner.

Newcastle then looked to hit back from a Jonjo Shelvey corner, with Jamal Lascelles heading wide for the Magpies.

The Whites dominated possession without creating a clear-cut chance, whilst the closest the hosts came was when Shelvey fired a long-range free kick well over.

Another injury stoppage took place after Illan Meslier took an accidental knee to the face, before Ryan Fraser threatened, latching onto a low cross from Jacob Murphy, he was found on the edge of the box and fired just too high.

The Whites almost doubled the lead after catching Newcastle on the counter-attack.  Rodrigo broke through, but was denied by Karl Darlow, before he laid the rebound off to Raphinha, who hit the post from a narrow angle.

Moments later Rodrigo again went close, this time he dragged a powerful effort from 25 yards just wide of Darlow’s post.

In the five minutes of added time following the series of injuries, Jacob Murphy fired over from range, before Dallas broke into the Newcastle box following a good onward header by Raphinha and his cross was just inches away from finding Patrick Bamford.

HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-1 Leeds United

Leeds almost had a second just after the break, Raphinha found Dallas in the box from the right wing and his strike was saved by Darlow, with the ball then rebounding off Dallas and in via the crossbar, but the goal was ruled out as the rebound hit Dallas’ arm first.

Murphy saw a strike deflect wide for the hosts before Miguel Almiron tested Illan Meslier from 25 yards.

Newcastle levelled the scores in the 57th minute, winning possession deep into the Leeds half Callum Wilson sent Almiron through on goal and his powerful shot had enough on it to beat Meslier.

Leeds regained the lead just four minutes later, Kalvin Phillips clipped in a pass to Harrison in the box who beat the offside trap and he fired a lovely half volley into the top corner.

Murphy fired just inches wide as he looked to get the Magpies level once more, before Raphinha found substitute Tyler Roberts in the Newcastle box, but Karl Darlow made a good low save.

Newcastle substitute Allan Saint-Maximin set up Jamal Lewis in the Leeds box, but he couldn’t keep his strike down, whilst Schar was denied by Meslier following a free-kick.

The hosts again came close to equalising from a corner, but Meslier produced a fabulous save to deny Shelvey’s bullet header.

Newcastle continued to throw everything at Leeds, with Schar driving forwards, before striking at goal, but once more Meslier made another superb stop.

Leeds United were able to hold onto their lead in the closing stages, leaving St James’ Park with all three points.

FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United


Booked: Schar (Newcastle) Alioski, Rodrigo, Harrison (Leeds)

Referee: A. Taylor

Venue: St James’ Park

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

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