)
Leeds had Rasmus Kristensen to spare thank for sparing their blushes in an eventual 2-2 draw with Newcastle that saw three penalties awarded as well as a red card.
Leeds managed to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle despite giving away two penalties and missing one themselves in the Premier League’s first match of the game week.
Goals from defenders Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen were enough to cancel out Callum Wilson’s brace for Newcastle as both teams settled for a point each.
How it happened
With their place in the Premier League next season up for grabs, Leeds looked the more interested side in the opening minutes and took an early lead through defender Luke Ayling, who took advantage of a loose ball in the Newcastle box to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Leeds had the chance to double their lead midway through the first half, but Patrick Bamford was denied from the spot by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Almost immediately, at the other end, Newcastle were handed a lifeline of their own when Alexander Isak was fouled in the 18-yard box and Toon striker Callum Wilson showed Bamford what a properly struck penalty looks like to make it 1-1.
With nothing to separate the sides heading into the break Leeds would have felt they were in the process of throwing the game away after allowing Newcastle back into the game and the second half proved them right.
The Magpies were in full control of the second 45 minutes, pinning Leeds back into their own half for much of the half while creating chances to take the lead.
They soon got the goal that their play deserved when they were awarded a second penalty after Junior Firpo’s handball in the box, and Wilson again made no mistake from the spot to give the away side the lead.
After the goal, Leeds, desperate for an equaliser, changed their approach becoming braver on the ball.
They were rewarded for their effort with just over 10 minutes left in normal time when Rasmus Kristensen scored with their first attempt on target of the second half to make it 2-2 at Elland Road.
Leeds suffered a further blow as they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Firpo who was sent for a last-man foul to wrap up an abysmal afternoon.
The teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with neither team really gaining as Newcastle’s UCL qualification and Leed’s Premier League status still hang in the balance.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)