Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United: Penalty drama as Sam Allardyce and Eddie Howe’s teams share spoils
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Updated 13/05/2023 at 14:02 GMT
Leeds United and Newcastle played out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League. The result leaves Newcastle in third, three points clear of Manchester United. The Red Devils have played one game less, but are in action against Wolves at 15:00. Leeds move up one place to 18th on 31 points. They are a point ahead of Leicester and one behind Everton having played a game more than both their relegation rivals
Rasmus Kristensen of Leeds United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on May 13, 2023 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (
Image credit: Getty Images
Rasmus Kristensen struck a priceless equaliser for relegation-threatened Leeds United as Sam Allardyce’s first home match in charge ended in a rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Champions League chasing Newcastle United at Elland Road.
The home side made a flying start when Luke Ayling hammered in the rebound from close range after Nick Pope had parried Rodrigo’s powerful header on seven minutes.
At this point Elland Road was rocking and the hosts had a chance to make it two on 28 minutes, but Patrick Bamford’s spot kick was well saved by Pope.
It proved to be a key moment as Newcastle responded to the let off with a penalty of their own under than three and a half minutes later, and Wilson made no mistake with his low strike to level matters.
The England forward then turned the match on its head on 69 minutes when he once again kept his nerve from the spot to snare his 10th goal in his last nine matches and his 17th Premier League goal of the campaign.
Leeds looked forlorn but rescued what could yet be a significant point in their quest to beat the drop when Kristensen sizzled in a deflected shot from the edge of the area 11 minutes from time. Junior Firpo was then sent off late on, but the home team held on.
The result means Leeds edge above Leicester into 18th spot, but remain in the drop zone, a point adrift of Everton having played a game more. Newcastle stay third, three clear of fourth-placed Manchester United and four ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool.
Newcastle will now turn their focus to Thursday’s home clash with fellow European hopefuls Brighton, while Leeds are next in action at West Ham a week on Sunday.
Talking point - A tale of three spot kicks but Leeds show fight
Some felt appointing the veteran English manager was a desperate move and a difficult assignment was always going to be that much tougher given Big Sam has been left with such a limited number of matches to turn things around at Elland Road.
After two matches at the helm, the results may not have been what they would have wanted in terms of points accrued, but there’s clearly more spirit and fight in the side. Whether they can sneak clear of the drop zone in the final two matches remains to be seen, but on this evidence one does feel he could have achieved the target without such drama had he been handed the reins earlier.
Player of the match - Callum Wilson (Newcastle)
The forward is enjoying arguably the finest season of his career and he was ice-cool with both penalties. His partnership with Alexander Isak is flourishing and with both strikers enjoying a good run, that top-four spot looks well and truly theirs to lose.
Player Ratings
LEEDS UTD: Robles 7, Kristensen 8, Koch 7, Wober 6, Ayling 7, McKennie 7, Greenwood 6, Firpo 4, Rodrigo 7, Harrison 6, Bamford 6. Subs: Forshaw 6, Gnonto 6, Aaronson n/a, Struijk n/a.
NEWCASTLE: Pope 8, Trippier 7, Schar 7, Botman 7, Burn 7, Guimaraes 7, Willock 7, Joelinton 7, Almiron 6, Wilson 8, Isak 7. Subs: Gordon 6, Saint-Maximin 6, Anderson n/a.
Match Highlights
07’ – GOAL! – Leeds United 1-0 Newcastle United. Ayling slams in the opener from close range after Pope had kept out Rodrigo's bullet header from Bamford's left-wing cross.
28’ – LEEDS PENALTY SAVED! Pope springs to his right to parry Bamford's penalty before reacting quickly to block the forward's follow-up. The spot kick was awarded after Joelinton brought down Junior Firpo.
31’ – GOAL! – Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United. Wilson guides a low penalty beyond Robles' dive and into the bottom corner. The spot kick was awarded after a poorly timed challenge from Wober on Isak.
69’ – GOAL! – Leeds United 1-2 Newcastle United. Wilson makes no mistake once again as he fires a spot kick high into the back of the net. The penalty was awarded following a VAR intervention as Firpo appeared to handle in the area.
79’ – GOAL! – Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United. Rasmus Kristensen beats Pope at his near post with a shot from 18 yards after the ball had bounced around dangerously in the Newcastle area.
90’ – LEEDS UNITED RED CARD! Firpo has been like a cat with nine lives with fouls and the hand ball for the penalty, but he eventually gets a second yellow as he bundles into the back of Gordon with the Newcastle forward clear on goal.
Key Stats
Pope has now saved two Premier League penalties this season. No goalkeeper has saved more, and only Dean Henderson and Jose Sa have saved the same amount.
Wilson has scored 10 goals in the Premier League since the start of April, the most of any player in Europe's top 10 leagues.
There were only 3 minutes and 23 seconds between Patrick Bamford failing to convert his penalty for Leeds and Callum Wilson successfully converting his first penalty for Newcastle.
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