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...
7. CM: Ao Tanaka
9 - Super tidy even against a high-pressing opponent. Got about the pitch plenty. A double deflection on the strike was awarded as a Lewis Miley own-goal but Tanaka fully deserved it himself. He's so much fun to watch when in his rhythm. Brilliant performance which earned huge cheers when he was replaced by Aaronson. | Steve Riding
8. CM: Anton Stach
9 - Picked up some dangerous attacking positions and made good runs straight from kick-off. Linked play up brilliantly in the more advanced role. Bothered Newcastle all night. Missed a great chance to make it 4-0 early in the second half. | Steve Riding
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9. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
7 - Great early bursting run caused chaos in the Newcastle box, and he kept flying forward whenever possible. Linked up well with Okafor. Didn't get tested much by Murphy but dealt with him when needed. Replaced by Bard with 20 to go. | Getty Images
10. ST: Noah Okafor
8 - Looked sharp early doors, getting at Newcastle defence whenever possible. Simple but smart cut in and pass to set up Tanaka. Gave Dedic a really difficult night. Not the cleanest strike for 4-0 but found it's way into the far corner. | Steve Riding
11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
9 - Won long balls whenever they were sent his way and bullied the Newcastle centre-backs. Rose brilliantly to head Leeds' second via a Bogle deflection and then had the footwork to make it 3-0. A brilliant all-round striker's performance. | Getty Images
12. Sub: Melvin Bard
6 - Barely tested after replacing Gudmundsson but did leave one on Barnes late around the halfway line. | Getty Images