Leeds United travelled to Newcastle on the back of a home loss to Manchester City and with the home side flying high in the Premier League, a win for Newcastle seemed the only outcome.
Jesse Marsch paired Tyler Adams who was back from suspension with Adam Forshaw in the midfield and the visitors looked set up to defend, frustrate the home side and hit on the counter-attack. A game plan which was executed to perfection. The Whites started the match well, looking to be on the front foot and stun the hosts early, but after the initial opening minutes, the half became more even.
Newcastle forced a succession of corners and should have taken the lead with the best chance of the half when an inswinger from Keiran Trippier was nodded down, Dan Burn took a swing but failed to make clear contact and the resulting effort was lashed wide by Miguel Almiron. Minutes later Fabian Schar raced through on goal and as he entered the penalty area, he was eased off the ball by Tyler Adams. There was contact, but not enough to warrant a penalty or a VAR check. The half came to a close, 0-0.
The second half started much the same, with Leeds trying to sneak in front, but for all their endeavour, they didn’t cause the toon defence many problems. The visitors were being forced deeper as the half continued. A succession of chances came from Sean Longstaff and Schar but both blazed high and wide from good positions. A deep free-kick from Trippier was floated into the box and Chris Wood latched onto an excellent nod down, only to see Illan Meslier race out to meet the striker and smother the ball to safety.
In a rare foray up the field for Leeds, Rodrigo found space on the flank and as he drifted into the area, he curled a superb effort into the far corner but Nick Pope was equal to it and palmed the ball away to safety.
Newcastle forced another corner and Schar found himself unmarked at the back post but his header was turned around the post well by Meslier. The best chance of the second half fell to Longstaff, he found himself free and the ball fell perfectly to the midfielder on the angle but he lacked composure and blasted over the bar. Newcastle continued to push but a resolute Leeds defence held on for a very determined point, 0-0.
Jesse Marsch will now prepare his squad for a home match against West Ham in midweek.