Louise Taylor was at Elland Road. Here’s her verdict. Thanks for reading this MBM.
Eddie Howe speaks to BT. “I’m struggling to make sense of it all … we could have been 2-0 down … 2-1 up, we were hoping to win it … a lot of emotions … we have to take our medicine and our point … we have two massive home games to come … we played well at times without hitting our best form … the character to come here and come back, we look at that as a positive … the way [Callum Wilson] took his two penalties was outstanding … [being accosted by a fan] was a real surprise, the last thing you expect to happen … we were under no illusions about how hard this was going to be … being in front makes it a little hard to take, but we move on to the next match.”
Sam Allardyce talks to BT. “I’m very, very satisfied with what the players have done and how they’ve applied themselves … obviously there’s lots of areas we can look at and say there’s room for improvement … but we didn’t get dispirited even though we made life extremely difficult for ourselves … we missed a penalty and gave two away and drawn 2-2 … if we scored the second penalty to go 2-0 up I think I’d be here saying what a great three points … but we missed it … but we made sure we stayed in the game … it looked like it was going to pan out from there … whether there’s a push [on Firpo for the second Newcastle penalty] only the referee can decide … but then we had a good response again for 2-2 … we then got one of our players sent off but we saw the last eight minutes out … our defending was magnificent today … we are moving in the right direction now … we pleased the crowd somewhat and they helped us in the game … it’s such a shame we weren’t more professional at the right time because that could have been a win for us today … I’m glad to say I’m disappointed it’s only a draw … it’s our fault we haven’t won it … we have to stop giving penalties away … I’ve been talking all week about staying on their feet and I don’t like it when they ignore me! … so they’ll get told off, believe you me … had we stayed on our feet today, I think we might have won this game.
Luke Ayling speaks to BT Sport: “It’s special for me to make my 250th appearance … but a point today is massive for us … especially the way we did it … weeks before, we might have lost that 5-1, but we stuck in there and ground it out … the fans roared us on to the end … it’s been hard for them … but they stuck with us today … they’re going to be massive for us … the place lifted as soon as [Allardyce] walked in … a club like this should be in the Premier League … we have two games to do that … now we have to make sure to carry it out.”
Big Sam wanted a point at least … and he’s got that point. It’s not enough to lift Leeds out of the bottom three today, but it could be priceless come the end of the season. They’ll rue giving away two daft penalties and missing one of their own, mind. Their final two fixtures: West Ham (a), Tottenham (h). If they play like they did today, they’re in with a chance.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 35 | -31 | 33 |
| 17 | Everton | 35 | -21 | 32 |
| 18 | Leeds | 36 | -25 | 31 |
| 19 | Leicester | 35 | -15 | 30 |
| 20 | Southampton | 35 | -33 | 24 |
It’s not an ideal result for Newcastle either, as they look to lock down a Champions League place. But again, it’s a point closer to their goal, and one that may help them realise their dream. Their final three fixtures: Brighton (h), Leicester (h), Chelsea (a).
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 34 | 58 | 82 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 35 | 44 | 81 |
| 3 | Newcastle | 35 | 32 | 66 |
| 4 | Man Utd | 34 | 8 | 63 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 35 | 25 | 62 |
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United
A point apiece. A fair result after a tumultuous to-and-fro tussle.
90 min +7: Schar sends a low diagonal shot towards the bottom left. Robles parries. A save that will surely secure a precious point for Leeds United.
90 min +6: The free kick’s not particularly accurate. Pope claims and launches long for Saint-Maximin, who nearly bursts clear down the right but is tackled superbly by Forshaw. The tension is palpable. Oh it’s palpable.
90 min +5: Trippier hangs out a leg to stop Gnonto and … well, he should be yellow carded, but the referee takes no action. Just a free kick.
90 min +4: Nothing comes of the corner. Meanwhile there’s a belated announcement of six minutes of added time, though given all that’s happened since the 90th minute, expect more than that.
90 min +3: Trippier fancies this free kick. He curls towards the bottom right. The ball pings out for a corner. Meanwhile some abject clown breaks from the crowd and manhandles Eddie Howe. He’s quickly marched away by security staff.
90 min +2: Before the free kick can be taken, Bamford is replaced by Struijk … and booked for taking too long to do one.
RED CARD: Firpo (Leeds)
90 min +1: Firpo, who should really have received his second yellow upon conceding Newcastle’s second penalty, gets it now. He’s off. And it’s going to be a free kick on the edge of the Leeds D.
Updated
90 min: Guimaraes launches long down the middle. Gordon chases clear. Firpo barges into him from behind, on the edge of the box. The referee thinks awhile, and …
89 min: Anderson jinks clear down the left and reaches the byline, with options in the middle. But his cross is way too high for Gordon, and Leeds breathe again.
87 min: Anderson comes on for Willock, while Aaronson replaces Rodrigo.
Updated
85 min: Saint-Maximin drops a shoulder to cut in from the left and curl towards the bottom right. Robles drops on the ball and holds on for dear life, with Newcastle shirts waiting for any mistake.
84 min: Botman skittles Bamford 35 yards from goal, just left of centre. Firpo lumps the free kick long. Too long. Goal kick. A chance to work Pope wasted.
82 min: Ayling crosses low from the right. Botman hooks clear. Leeds are snapping into every challenge now, as they search for a priceless winner.
81 min: Forshaw curls into the mixer. Bamford wins a header, but can’t keep it down. The ball sails high over the bar. The Leeds faithful break into another wild rendition of Marching on Together.
80 min: Suddenly Leeds are on the front foot, and Gnonto works his way down the left, winning a free kick just to the side of the Newcastle box. Everyone congregates in the penalty area. Forshaw to deliver.
GOAL! Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United (Kristensen 79)
A corner for Leeds down the left. It’s hit long. Bamford tries to force home. He claims a handball. Nothing doing. But no matter! The ball breaks to Kristensen, to the right of the D. He shoots low. The ball pings off Trippier and flies into the bottom right, past the wrong-footed Pope! Elland Road erupts! What a game this is.
Updated
77 min: Trippier and Gordon play some keep-ball down the right flank. A bit early for this? Maybe, maybe not: Leeds are getting mighty frustrated.
75 min: Robles comes racing out of his area to clear a ball he had no chance of reaching. He’s lucky Kristensen is on hand to mop up. Then Isak is sent racing into acres down the right. He rolls across to Saint-Maximin, who slams home … but the flag goes up correctly for offside. Whatever: Leeds are suddenly all over the shop.
74 min: Some more belated yellow-card news: Wilson was booked for taking his sweet time to leave the field of play.
73 min: Newcastle make a double change. On come Saint-Maximin and Gordon, off go Almiron and Wilson, the latter having just scored his 17th goal of the season, and his seventh in five games.
71 min: Elland Road is stunned into relative silence, and Leeds are in big trouble now. Meanwhile some admin: Gnonto was also booked during the discussions over the penalty kick.
GOAL! Leeds United 1-2 Newcastle United (Wilson 69 pen)
Wilson gives Robles the eyes and, once the keeper moves, slams the penalty down the middle!
Updated
69 min: Robles is booked for delaying the penalty. Wilson waits. Robles pushes his luck by acting up again. The referee issues a final warning. And then …
68 min: No second yellow for Firpo, though. Small mercies for Leeds.
Penalty for Newcastle
67 min: The referee goes over to the screen, with inevitable consequences for Leeds.
66 min: Willock loops long from the left. At the far stick, Isak prepares to head home. The ball flashes wide right. Isak screams for a penalty … and the ball brushed Firpo’s fingers. Firpo had his hand high in the air, and VAR gets involved. This is going to be a penalty.
Updated
64 min: A huge cheer as Gnonto, an Elland Road favourite, comes on for Harrison.
63 min: McKennie chests down on the edge of the Newcastle box and lashes wildly over the bar. The first part was good.
62 min: Willock glides past Ayling down the left and crosses dangerously with Wilson lurking. Robles punches clear. This match is incredibly tense, but it’s also very entertaining. “Greenwood looked way out his depth,” says our old pal Paul Doyle. “He was decent earlier in the season but playing amid wild incompetence has taken a toll.”
60 min: Firpo’s studs were showing for a while, but hit the turf before contact was made. The decision stands. It’s just a yellow. That seems fair. Newcastle don’t particularly argue the toss.
59 min: Firpo clatters Almiron. Hard. A lunge. The referee gives himself some time to think before showing yellow. But VAR will take a look, just in case the lunge is worth a red.
58 min: Guimaraes is booked for a saucy dive in the general environs of McKennie. He can have no complaints, but argues the toss anyway.
Updated
56 min: A stramash in the Leeds box. Wilson heads downwards. Rodrigo hacks off the line. Guimaraes shins into the air. Robles slaps clear. Leeds break. Bamford shoots. The ball pings back onto his hand. Free kick. To quote Danny Boon: it’s all happening!
Updated
54 min: Firpo romps into the Newcastle penalty area down the left but is barged fairly off the ball by Trippier. A well-executed, rush-of-blood-free challenge in the box, whatever next.
52 min: Wilson batters a shot goalwards from the edge of the Leeds D, but Kristensen blocks out for a corner. Wilson felt that, and stays down for a minute, but gets up again soon enough. Nothing comes of the set piece.
50 min: Firpo curls in from the right. Bamford, his back to goal, attempts to cushion the ball into Rodrigo’s path, but the intricate move doesn’t quite come off. Nice idea, though.
49 min: McKennie flings a long throw into the Newcastle box. An easy claim for Pope. But Leeds come again, Bamford turning cutely into space down the middle. He’s unable to thread a pass forward to release Harrison, but that was neat. Bamford’s had a decent game except for, well, y’know.
48 min: Trippier sends the free kick in high. Robles slices a punch into the air, and is relieved to see Joelinton clank a header out for a goal kick. An uncertain start to the half by the hosts.
47 min: Wilson jinks his way down the right and is barged off the ball by the ever-clumsy Wober. A free kick and a chance to load the Leeds box.
Newcastle get the second half underway. Leeds have made a change, swapping out Greenwood for Forshaw. “If Allardyce fails to secure at least a point today, then ‘I Predict a Riot’ and he’ll be serenaded off with ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’,” quips Ricky Wilson Joe Pearson, who is presumably now off to work on some Wedding Present material.
Half-time entertainment. AKA Big Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United
The whistle sounds, allowing Patrick Bamford to traipse off and have his existential crisis in peace.
Updated
45 min +1: Almiron sashays in from the right and curls across Robles towards the bottom left. Just wide. Had that been on target, the keeper wasn’t getting there. So close, and Almiron holds his head in his hands.
45 min: There will be two additional first-half minutes.
44 min: Thing is, while Bamford will get pelters for missing the penalty, his cross set up the first goal, and here he nearly sets up another. A fine run down the middle draws a couple of Newcastle defenders. He rolls towards Greenwood to his right. Greenwood suffers a rush of blood and flays a dreadful shot into the stand behind. That deserved better.
43 min: Joelinton rolls a ball down the middle and nearly releases Wilson, but Robles comes off his line to kick clear. The offside flag goes up. However the play is pulled back for a free kick to Newcastle, Joelinton having been hit late by Koch. Leeds and their fans are incensed at Newcastle being afforded a second chance, so it’s probably just as well for the controversy-averse that the visitors waste the free kick.
41 min: Time and space for Ayling down the right. He’s got Rodrigo in space down the right, but tries to force it with an ambitious rake towards Bamford in the middle. An easy pluck from the sky for Pope.
40 min: One minute and 50 seconds passed between Bamford’s miss and Wilson’s equaliser. “Why didn’t Rodrigo take it?” wonders Jeremy Boyce. “Bamford is clearly totally lacking confidence, missing a pen won’t help. Where is Stuart Dallas when you need him?”
38 min: Guimaraes and Almiron combine crisply down the right. Almiron breaks into the box and wins a corner off Koch. Trippier loops it in. Schar heads over the bar. Leeds could do with hearing the half-time whistle; their heads must be addled.
36 min: Trippier earns Leeds a corner down the right. Rodrigo battles hard to clear it at the far post, then upon winning a throw, gives the referee both barrels while wagging a finger in his face. He’s not happy about something, and continues the discussion with the linesman. He’s seriously pushing his luck.
35 min: Bamford goes down rubbing his head. Not clear whether that’s an impact thing, or if the realisation of what’s just happened has belatedly hit home.
33 min: McKennie contests a high ball in the Leeds box and barges into the back of Wilson. The referee urges the Newcastle man to get up, but tell you what, you’ve seen those given. That could easily have been another penalty. Now it’s Leeds’ turn to look rattled.
32 min: That’s Wilson’s sixth goal in five games, and his ninth in nine! Malcolm Macdonald would be proud of those sort of numbers.
Updated
GOAL! Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United (Wilson 31 pen)
Wilson slots into the bottom left. Robles goes the correct way but can’t reach it. Newcastle were so close to falling two behind a couple of minutes ago … and now look!
Updated
Penalty for Newcastle!
30 min: How big could that miss be? Very big! Isak bursts into the Newcastle box down the right. Wober comes across and high-kicks him to the floor! It’s the most obvious penalty, and the referee points to the spot! What a wild couple of minutes!
28 min: Bamford takes aim for the bottom-left corner … but doesn’t quite catch it, allowing Pope to get down and parry. Bamford attempts to poke the rebound home, but can only earn a corner. The blood drains from Bamford’s face while Big Sam holds his head in his hands.
Updated
Penalty for Leeds!
27 min: Greenwood slips a pass infield from the left for Firpo, who bursts into the box. Joelinton lunges in and takes out his man. Clumsy and obvious. The referee points straight to the spot.
Updated
25 min: Guimaraes attempts to release Almiron down the right only to flay his pass straight out for a goal kick. The first sign that Newcastle are getting a little antsy. A bit early for that, you’d imagine.
23 min: Newcastle continue to dominate, but to little effect. Trippier tries to cushion a right-wing cross into the path of Wilson; Wober is on point to clear.
Updated
21 min: Isak cuts back from the left and crosses deep. Almiron hopes to meet the ball at the far post, but can’t control and it flies out for a goal kick. Newcastle have enjoyed a fair bit of possession in the Leeds final third, but Robles hasn’t had much to do yet.
Updated
19 min: McKennie dribbles down the right touchline and draws a foul from Willock. A free kick that’ll be sent into a packed box. Rodrigo’s delivery is no good, and Guimaraes deals with it in a fuss-free fashion.
17 min: Isak dinks a cross in from the left. Easy for Robles. Soon after, Joelinton is blocked on the edge of the Leeds box after a decent run. A good response to falling behind from Newcastle.
15 min: Willock slips Almiron into space down the left. Almiron shoots from a tight angle and whips the ball into the side netting. Robles had it covered.
14 min: Trippier floats this one long, but it’s easily cleared by Firpo.
13 min: Bamford lunges late on Willock, then Wober skittles Wilson, 30 yards from goal. Leeds are putting it about all right.
11 min: Trippier uncharacteristically blooters the free kick straight at Harrison, the first man. What a waste. A sign that Newcastle may be rattled? Perhaps, perhaps not, because the visitors come again through Wilson, who spins near the left-hand corner of the six-yard box and threads a shot towards the bottom left. Robles gathers with safe hands.
10 min: Koch comes left to shoulder barge Willock to the floor in the agricultural style. A free kick and a chance for Newcastle to load the Leeds box.
9 min: … and so a Sam Allardyce team now has something to defend. A poser for Newcastle United. On the touchline, Eddie Howe furrows his brow and has a good old think.
8 min: That was a fine move by Leeds, and pretty much everyone in Elland Road is on their feet. Marching on together all right. What a noise!
Updated
GOAL! Leeds United 1-0 Newcastle United (Ayling 6)
Leeds had been on the back foot, but now look! Harrison finds Bamford down the left. Bamford crosses. Rodrigo rises highest and plants a downward header towards the bottom right. Pope parries, but the ball pings to Ayling, who slots from a couple of yards. Elland Road launches into space!
Updated
5 min: Kristensen gifts possession to Isak, carelessly allowing Newcastle another opportunity to attack. Nothing comes of it, but Leeds can’t keep doing this.
3 min: The second sign of nerves as Greenwood spoons a poor clearance straight to Joelinton, and is very relieved to see the Newcastle man hoick harmlessly over the bar from distance.
2 min: Wober dilly dallies over a clearance and is nearly closed down by Isak. The first sign of nerves.
1 min: Leeds press Newcastle hard. Rodrigo crunches Burn. A huge roar. The early efforts very much appreciated by the home fans.
Leeds get the ball rolling. What a noise ringing around Elland Road! You’ll be able to hear it halfway down the M1. “You’ve miscaptioned that photo,” tut-tuts Justin Kavanagh. “Big Sam was actually finalising some parts of his contract regarding fans still supporting him in the Championship.”
Updated
The teams are out! Leeds in white, Newcastle in second-choice blue and yellow. Everyone in Elland Road hollering Marching on Together in lung-bursting fashion; one hell of a rendition of the best song written by Les Reed that isn’t Delilah or It’s Not Unusual. We’ll be off in a couple of minutes!
… and some more from Big Sam. “There are only three games left, it’s an absolute must to try to win the game … but certainly not to go gung-ho and lose it … we must come off with something … I’ll be reasonably satisfied if that is a point … we have to stop the losing streak … it’s not going to be easy … hopefully the crowd and the team and the passion they can show can give us a performance so everybody goes home satisfied.”
Updated
Eddie Howe talks to BT. “The preparation has been good … we know we have a tough challenge today … the environment will be difficult for us … we need to start the game well … I back the players, we’ve been excellent on the road this season … Allardyce will have his way of playing and we need to be prepared for that … but we need to be good at doing what we do and trust our process.”
Cynicism Corner. “You forgot to mention the 2.5 million reasons that Big Sam needs to win today. As for Robbie Keane, he just wants to keep his boyhood-supported club up, right?” – Justin Kavanagh
“Guess what?! Not even Pep could save Leeds” – Jeff Sax
Sam Allardyce speaks to BT Sport. “When the whistle goes, that’s when the nerves go … confidence was low, we could see that in the body language of the players … a little mickey-take here and there, a little smile on the face … focus on what we need to put right … putting it right in a short period of time is not an easy job … we don’t want to overload information but make the key points … just got to defend better, not concede so many goals … they stood up to Manchester City and didn’t buckle … I was fearful we were heading to similar results they’d had in the past, four and five goals … their better use of possession got us up the pitch … passion, commitment, desire, all the stuff that shouldn’t be asked, should be a given … we have to do something to get the crowd on the edge of their seat.”
Leeds make two changes to their starting XI after the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. Sam Greenwood replaces Marc Roca, while Wilfried Gnonto makes way for Rodrigo.
Newcastle make one change to the side that started the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. Miguel Almiron comes in for Jacob Murphy.
The teams
Leeds United: Robles, Firpo, Wober, Kristensen, Ayling, Koch, McKennie, Greenwood, Harrison, Rodrigo, Bamford.
Subs: Meslier, Forshaw, Aaronson, Roca, Summerville, Struijk, Rutter, Gnonto, Gray.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Isak.
Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, Gordon, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Murphy, Anderson.
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI... pic.twitter.com/qQURvNhTLD
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 13, 2023
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 👊#LEENEW pic.twitter.com/FzMUaFg3ue
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 13, 2023
Updated
Preamble
Leeds need to win because …
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 35 | -31 | 33 |
| 17 | Everton | 35 | -21 | 32 |
| 18 | Leicester | 35 | -15 | 30 |
| 19 | Leeds | 35 | -25 | 30 |
| 20 | Southampton | 35 | -33 | 24 |
… while Newcastle need to win because …
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 34 | 58 | 82 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 35 | 44 | 81 |
| 3 | Newcastle | 34 | 32 | 65 |
| 4 | Man Utd | 34 | 8 | 63 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 35 | 25 | 62 |
… so this game should tell a story, one way or the other. Kick off is at 12.30pm BST. It’s on!
