Newcastle United's winning run was brought to an end by Leeds United in monsoon conditions at St James' Park.
The goalless draw means that United at least ended 2022 in unbeaten fashion but Leeds were far the happier of the two teams at the final whistle. The Magpies created some good chances in the second half but were wasteful with both Sean Longstaff and Joelinton blazing over late on.
Despite having 16 goal attempts and 59% possession, Newcastle could not find a winner and the game ended with Leeds, understandably, reverting to time-wasting to secure an unexpected point.
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Howe named an unchanged line-up to the side that strolled to an easy Boxing Day victory over Leicester City. Both teams held a minute's applause for football legend Pele before the match with Bruno Guimaraes donning a shirt with his fellow countryman's name and number on the back.
United made a bright start amid the drizzly winter conditions with Fabian Schar sending an early effort wide of the mark from long range. Leeds appealed in vain for a penalty on five minutes as Brenden Aaronson tussled with Joelinton.
Joe Willock and Chris Wood combined on 10 minutes to pick out Joelinton but Illan Meslie saved with his leg at the Leazes End. On 25 minutes Fabian Schar's knockdown from Trippier's cross but Dan Burn connected with fresh air and missed a good chance.
Three minutes later Trippier crossed again for Sven Botman but he could not convert. In a gritty encounter Trippier was booked for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto. And so the two teams went in level at the break on soaking afternoon on Tyneside.
Two minutes into the second half Schar fired over as Newcastle tried to make an early impact. Wood's best chance came on 53 minutes when he was set free by Burn but Meslier came out and made the save.
Three minutes before the hour mark, Leeds had a superb chance as Rodrigo Moreno curled at goal but Pope made a fine save. It was over to Meslier again on 62 minutes as he saved to deny Schar again from Trippier's ball in.
A minute later Sean Longstaff was slipped in but blazed over a great chance and the scores stayed level. Howe made two subs straight after as he brought on Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin but they could not find a breakthrough.
Longstaff was presented with another inviting opening but fired over again at Gallowgate End. With six minutes to go Saint-Maximin cut the ball across for Joelinton but he missed the target. Jacob Murphy was thrown on for the tiring Almiron but it would prove to be a day of frustration for the Magpies.
As Leeds fought for the point the two teams were involved in a tussle in the Gallowgate corner. But ref Simon Hooper's whistle signalled the year 2022 had ended in a stalemate in the rain.
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