Leeds United returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Monday night after thumping Newcastle United 4-1 at home. A 32nd-minute Lewis Miley own-goal kicked things off before Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin got on the first-half scoresheet, Noah ~Okafor making it four before the hour-mark.
The Whites came out the blocks quickly and while it took 32 minutes and a double-deflected Lewis Miley own-goal to go ahead, they deserved it and went on to enjoy a electric 14 minutes. That was the first of three goals to see out the opening half, with Calvert-Lewin heading a James Justin cross in off Bogle’s head before making it 3-0 himself in first-half added-time.
Leeds continued on the front foot after half-time with Okafor adding a fourth inside the hour-mark, his left-footed volley not the cleanest but finding it’s way into the far corner. That killed any hope of a second-half Newcastle comeback despite substitute Aladji Kairaba Toure poking home an added-time consolation goal.
Here are your Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: James Trafford
7 - Almost caught out twice by Wissa in the opening 20 minutes but got away with it. Never let is phase him though and was confident to command his box when crosses or corners came in. Will be annoyed to lose the clean sheet.
2. CB: James Justin
8 - Kept Barnes quiet, which is far from easy. Great cross for Calvert-Lewin to head onto Bogle for 2-0. Got forward plenty in that hybrid role. Newcastle goal deflected off his foot. | Steve Riding
3. CB: Nico Elvedi
7 - Stepped up and defended on the front foot well, but also coped with Newcastle always wanting to play balls in behind for their pacey forwards. Cleared low crosses virtually whenever they came in. Looks so comfortable in that central role. | Steve Riding
4. CB: Tarik Muharemovic
9 - Threatened to get caught in behind once or twice but recovered well each time and adapted to the problem. Super composed on the ball as ever and anticipated everything. Great block to deny Barnes on the counter at 2-0 and then got an assist for Calvert-Lewin with a nice flick. Colossal. | Steve Riding
5. RWB: Jayden Bogle
8 - Did well to win the ball and start the move that ended with the 2-0 goal, which was eventually awarded to him after a slight deflection from Calvert-Lewin's header. Started the move for 3-0 with a nice spray towards Muharemovic. Flew up and down his side. | Steve Riding
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
8 - First to a lot of loose midfield balls. Got tight on Wissa when he dropped into pockets. Played mostly simple but incisive passes. Got virtually everything he did right. | Steve Riding