Newcastle United 1-1 Leeds United
The search for their first Premier League victory continues as Newcastle United and Leeds United had to settle for a 1-1 draw last Friday night at St. James Park.
Raphinha gave the Whites the advantage early and the Magpies looked like they were in huge trouble as there was discontent at their home pitch.
However, Newcastle United didn’t back down as Steve Bruce’s men mounted a stirring comeback with the talismanic Allan Saint-Maximin drilling in the equaliser just before the half-time break.
It wasn’t the result that both sides envisioned, but points are indeed a premium for these two and they are more than happy to take anything they can get as of the moment.
Newcastle have dropped to the relegation zone at 18th with only two points while Leeds sit tight at 16th with three – level with Arsenal, Watford, Southampton, and Wolves.
It’s still too early to determine the fate of the Magpies and Whites with only a few games in, but the Premier League 2021 odds don’t paint a rosy picture for these two sides if they don’t clean up their acts sooner or later.
Nonetheless, it was a cracker of a match at St. James Park. So read on below as SBOTOP gives you the notable Premier League 2021 highlights from this contest.
Highlights of the game
Steve Bruce entered this match with immense pressure as he continues to be in the coaching hot seat after a lacklustre start to their 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
His Magpies started off not so good when the visitors dictated tempo and the St. James Park crowd let out a collective groan after 13 minutes.
Raphinha came racing to the right flank and fired a swinging cross towards Rodrigo, who expertly dummied the cross to allow the ball to drift past the hands of Karl Darlow for the first goal of the night.
Midway through the first half, Newcastle got their first viable chance when they tested Leeds keeper Illan Meslier twice with Miguel Almiron and Joelinton coming close.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who were fresh from a beatdown from Liverpool previously, maintained their free-spirited, gung-ho approach as they were continuously on the offencive. However, they weren’t as clinical as they would’ve preferred.
Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips, and Mateusz Klich all got into the act with chances of their own but Karl Darlow was alert enough to thwart those opportunities.
Just as the Whites thought that they’ll end the first half with the advantage, the Magpies got a much-needed score from one of their stars.
Joelinton was able to find Allan Saint-Maximin into the penalty area with his clever through-ball, and the speedy Frenchman weaved past Leeds defenders and he whipped the ball hard into the net for the equaliser.
In the second half, Leeds would try to regain the lead via a chance from one of their newest additions.
Daniel James — who joined the Whites during the summer transfer window — threatened with his volley that hit Jamaal Lascelles’ body almost for an own goal, but Karl Darlow was there to clean it up.
At the 60th minute, Allan Saint-Maximin almost give the hosts the lead with but Illan Meslier’s long hands got in the way of his attempt.
Long-term striker Patrick Bamford tried his luck in finding the winning goal for Leeds United late, but his chance only produced a routine save for Karl Darlow.
Key statistics
Newcastle United fans still have a bone to pick with their team after failing to win in their first five tries.
In his 14th season as the Magpies manager, Steve Bruce has seen his side fail to win any of their first five matches of a campaign in the English top-flight for the first time ever (D2, L3).
Leeds United, meanwhile, have also failed to win each of their five opening matches of a league season for the first time since 1985/86 in the Championship and only the third time in their top-flight history (1935/36 and 1946/47).
Both sides were aggressive at goal but neither were efficient in this fixture as the Magpies (17) and the Whites (22) have combined for 39 total shots with 16 of them on target.
What’s next?
Newcastle United will have a week’s worth of rest before they face Watford at Vicarage Road in their next Premier League game.
On the other hand, Leeds United travel to Fulham on Tuesday evening to meet Fulham at the third round of the Carabao Cup. And after that, they will host West Ham United on Saturday at Elland Road.
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