Alan Shearer has suggested it was a point gained rather than two dropped as Newcastle United earned a draw at Leeds United. Callum Wilson's brace from the penalty spot ensure the visitors took a point from Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime, a result which means the Magpies will sit third come the end of the latest round of top-flight fixtures.
Luke Ayling handed the relegation battlers a dream start with the opening strike after just seven minutes, and Patrick Bamford spurned a golden opportunity to double this advantage from the penalty spot with Nick Pope saving the Leeds striker's effort. Minutes later, Wilson made no mistake at the other end after Alexander Isak was brought down by Max Wober.
Newcastle's number nine was then presented with another spot-kick after a VAR review led to Junior Firpo being penalised for a handball, and the leading goalscorer confidently buried his penalty down the middle. But just as the visitors looked to be closing in on a vital victory, Rasmus Kristensen equalised 11 minutes' from time courtesy of an unfortunate deflection off Kieran Trippier.
READ MORE: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe approached by fan at Elland Road in worrying moment
The draw means Manchester United could move level on points with a victory over Wolves. But rather than dwelling on a win which would have moved Newcastle to within touching distance of guaranteeing a top-four finish, Shearer seemingly viewed avoiding defeat in a highly-charged encounter as a positive.
Newcastle's all-time record goalscorer: "If you can’t win, don’t get beaten." The viewpoint unsurprisingly drew a mixed response from supporters, although the majority of replies focused on the Magpies' Champions League destiny remaining in their own hands.
One fan wrote: "2 home wins to secure top 4! Simple as that." Another supporter commented: "We needed 7 points , that’s one less. Win our two home games and that’s us done."
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