Leeds United answer defensive questions in Newcastle…

Leeds United answer defensive questions in Newcastle draw but Ayling and Harrison let chances slip

Leeds United held Premier League high flyers Newcastle United to a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park to claim their third clean sheet of the campaign.

Here’s the winners and losers from the contest.

Winners

Liam Cooper

The defender showed a huge amount of grit and character to bounce back from his dismal showing against Man City by turning in a strong showing in the rain at St James’ Park. It was his mistake that led to Erling Haaland’s first at Elland Road but he kept his composure and cool against Newcastle to frustrate the home side.

Newcastle had their chances, but Cooper and Koch managed to keep them to a minimum by crowding out the likes of Chris Wood and Miguel Almiron and making a number of impressive blocks and challenges. It was a captain’s performance from Cooper and it helped Leeds pick up just their third clean sheet of the season.

Illan Meslier

The goalkeeper was Leeds’ best once again. He stood out against City in midweek and he made a number of fine saves to deny the Magpies in the North East.

Meslier got down well to make two or three fine stops in the first half but his best stop came at the start of the second as he rushed off his line quickly to deny Chris Wood, who was in acres of space in the area. The Frenchman missed all three of Leeds’ mid-season friendlies but he’s taken no time to get back into the swing of things and he’ll cherish getting another clean sheet under his belt.

Tyler Adams

The midfielder missed the midweek clash through suspension after being sent off in the defeat to Manchester City before the break. He stepped back into the side at Newcastle, though, and seemed to add a degree of solidity and strength to the midfield, getting back well to block attacks on a number of occasions.

This wasn’t his best performance in a Leeds shirt but it served as a reminder of how much he adds to the side and how missed he was last time out.

Losers

Luke Ayling

The right-back was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI, stepping into the side as Jesse Marsch opted to give Rasmus Kristensen a rest. He started the game well, getting forward and looking to get the ball into the area.

However, as the first half progressed he found himself exposed on the break by Joelinton, who was given far too much space down the line, forcing Tyler Adams had to come across on a couple of occasions to cut out the danger. This was an opportunity for Ayling and he failed to take advantage of it.

He was replaced by Kristensen in the second half.

Jack Harrison

Another that failed to take his opportunity in the side. Harrison has struggled with injury over the last few weeks and after missing a couple of mid-season friendlies, he was an unused sub against City.

However, with Marsch looking to manage workloads the attacker came back into the starting XI at Newcastle but he failed to make a positive impression in a more central role. He looked off the pace and several passes went astray as he contributed to a disjointed and difficult attacking performance.

He’ll be keen to make more of an impact if he’s involved against West Ham United on Wednesday night.

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