Leeds United got another important point on the board following Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United. Daniel Farke’s men bounced back from a difficult week and back-to-back defeats with another solid home showing, albeit against a Magpies outfit who were without several key players.
A battling first-half lacked quality from both sides in the final third, with Leeds in particular guilty of failing to find that killer pass. Farke’s side counter-attacked with intent but failed to test the palms of Nick Pope with a single shot on target, while at the other end Lucas Perri’s only save was from a simple Jacob Murphy snapshot.
That pattern of play continued for much of the second-half, with neither Leeds nor Newcastle able to build serious pressure or test their opposition goalkeeper until the 90th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s effort was blocked by the foot of Pope. That was about the only good chance of the final exchanges with both sides settling for a point.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was on hand at Elland Road. Below are his Leeds United player ratings…
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
8 - Started on the front foot with big, crunching tackles and continued in that manner. Physical and smart on the ball. | Getty Images
8. CM: Anton Stach
7 - Got a foot in when he could, tried to get forward to make things happen. Relieved the pressure a few times with good decisions on the ball. | Getty Images
9. RW: Dan James
5 - Final ball wasn't there in the first half and he made heavy weather of a good situation in the second half. Ran himself into the ground. | Getty Images
10. LW: Willy Gnonto
7 - Got into good positions and took it to Newcastle, tried to get shots off. Fed Bogle for a half chance after the break. | AFP via Getty Images
11. ST: Lukas Nmecha
7 - Worked his socks off, battled defenders to hold it up, got into a couple of good positions but lacked guile and composure in attacks. | Getty Images
12. SUB: Brenden Aaronson
6 - Rushed around trying to annoy Newcastle and managed to get a foot in once or twice. Tidy enough on the ball in his cameo. | Getty Images