Close But No Dice

Arguably Newcastles worst defeat of the season came in the reverse fixture to this one. Bruce's Mags looked for redemption at St James Park taking on an out of form Leeds United. Bruce opted for the familiar five at the back system with Darlow in goal. Murphy played at right wing back while Lewis played on the left. Hayden stayed in the heart of the defense along side Captain Lascelles and Fabian Schar. There were three Center Mids with Shelvey, Hayden and Almiron. And a Bizzar inclusion along side Wilson was Ryan Frazer

Straight away after two minutes there were worrying signs as Schar went down holding the shoulder that kept him out in previous weeks. Thankfully he came back on and seemed to be ok. Leeds looked threatening on the 12th minute when Bamford on the right put in a good ball for Harrison but he sliced the ball out for a goal kick. But five minutes later Leeds took the lead with a mistake from Murphy, letting in Bamford who picked out an overlapping Rodrigo who on the right side played the ball back to Raphinia, in acres of space and nobody willing to close him down Raphinia slotted the ball past Darlow. 1-0.

Newcastle had their best chance so far with Shelveys corner finding the head of the captain Lascelles but Cooper does enough to put him off as he headed it wide. Fraser looked lively in the 34th minute when he played in a teasing cross which almost found Murphy but he collided with the keeper and another defender with the ball going out for a goalkick. But five minutes later Murphy turned provider as he played in a lovely ball which found Fraser on his right foot Fraser blasted the ball over the bar. Newcastle did have a few chances from out wide in the first half when Schar disposed Bamford then played it through to Murphy who tried to slide the ball in for Wilson but the Leeds defender just beat him to it and out for a corner. Shelvey took the corner which Mesllier came for and spilled the ball, luckily for the French keeper it hit his own defender and he gathered the ball to play it straight down the other end with Rodrigo getting into the box and ran it on an angle, struck the ball and hit the post. Bamford was in space.

Four minutes into the second half it looked like Leeds went further into the lead when Raphinia pick out Dallas who hit the crossbar, Dallas put the ball in the back of the net on the rebound but on closer inspection showed that he punched the ball in whilst falling to ground. Almiron took on a shot when he dribbled towards the goal and had a shot from twenty five yards but the keeper collected it comfortably. And then the moment we've all been waiting for, (are you sitting comfortably?) This time it was a goal from Miguel Almiron the Toon lads must have been practicing some tiki-taka drills in training as Hayden won the ball in midfield and played the ball to Shelvey who played the ball to Wilson, with one touch each Wilson found Miggy who, in on goal slotted the ball past Mesllier who got a touch to the ball. 1-1.

But it didn't last long as Leeds regained the advantage with Raphinia who clipped the ball in to Harrison, Harrison had the time and space to take a touch and curled the ball with the outside of his boot to beat Darlow. 2-1.

Shelvey responded by dancing hi way into the Leeds box, looking to pick out Wilson Shelveys pass is blocked. And then Almiron played in Murphy who took the ball in his stride from outside the box, Murphy stuck the ball with his left peg but it curled wide. On the 65th minute on came ASM for Murphy to put some spark into the game. But it was Darlow who was called into action when Raphinia played in a low ball that missed Lewis and Roberts, Darlow looked to have been caught out but he mannaged to get his hand on the ball to keep Leeds at bay.

Lewis had a massive opportunity to equalise for the second time when he got into the box, on an angle and clear of the defense Lewis unleashed a powerful effort that clipped the bar and went out of play, so close. Massive chance wasted. One minute later it was Lascelles who came close again from a corner, the captain rise up high to get his head to the ball, but again it hit the bar and out of play for a goal kick.

Newcastle just kept pressing for the equiliser with Saint-Maximin getting into the box and striking the ball which was blocked by the arm of Cooper. The Referee waved away claims for a penalty. But ASM didn't stop there, getting into the box winning a corner from Ayling. Fraser took the corner and found the head of Shelvey who powered it into the arms of the keeper. Close again. Fabian Schar also looked dangerous making a few runs up the pitch, Schars best effort came in the 82nd minute when he got to the edge of the box from the midfield, Schar had a shot which was low and tipped away by Meslier.

Leeds almost made it game over on the 90th minute when Klich gad an effort on goal which was blocked by the hand of Lascelles, but his hands were by his side so United only coneded a corner which almost caused an own goal when the ball hit Schars head and had to be saved by Darlow. After that effort, Leeds ran down the four minutes of added time to claim victory and the double over the mags.

Final Score Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United.

Honestly much better in that second half. Take away the fact that we lost. We showed hunger for the first time since the Burnley game. The only thing we did wrong was fail to close Leeds down for their two goals. Leeds crumble under pressure and it showed when Almiron scored for Newcastle. Our first goal in over six hours of football. We finally looked entertaining today. Hopefully we can push on and actually get points.

By Sam West.