Match Recap: Newcastle United 1-1 Leeds United

Leeds United were frustrated in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park as Leeds continue to wait for their first win of the season.

The Whites started well, opening the scoring on 16 minutes as Bamford played the ball wide to Raphinha, whose swinging cross was perfectly placed for Rodrigo in the middle. The clever Spaniard dummied the ball, catching the keeper off-guard as the ball bounced all the way into the far corner.

Things really opened up from there though and it was Dan James who saved the day on 24 minutes as he nipped in ahead of Willock to deny him a good chance in the penalty area. Meslier also made a good save soon after, denying Joelinton at the back post with a good reaction save.

Leeds were causing problems for Newcastle but the home side came very close again going into half-time, as a deflected shot from Ritchie bounced off the inside of the post and out of danger, but it was a sign of things to come.

Newcastle equalised on the stroke of half-time as the dangerman Saint-Maximin drove across the penalty, dummying three defenders and drilling the ball low across goal into the bottom-left corner to level the game up ahead of the break.

But not before Leeds had a treble-chance as Firpo broke forward on the counter, finding Raphinha with an excellent cross. The Brazilian took one second too long to unleash his shot which was well blocked. The ball broke to him again, and he fizzed the ball back in the middle to Dan James who couldn’t get a shot off. It then broke for Firpo in the left channel, who propped the ball up for himself on the volley and blasted the ball over the bar.

It was a much quieter affair in the second half as it was anyone’s game, but nobody would take the game with both hands. Bamford and Rodrigo scuffed decent openings, while Crysencio Summerville didn’t manage to make an impact.

Leeds remain in desperate need of a win, with the next opportunity being at home to West Ham next weekend, but not before The Whites travel to Fulham in The League Cup on Tuesday.