Newly-promoted Leeds took a point from visiting and favored Newcastle United in a cagey 0-0 affair at Elland Road on Saturday.
On a day that Newcastle unveiled a $93 million center forward, it was clear how badly they needed a star to challenge the heart of a resolute defense.
WATCH — Leeds v Newcastle full match replay
And while Daniel Farke’s Leeds will be happy to hit the international break with a 1-1-1 record, they too know that their cutting edge likely spent the day on the bench as new additions waiting to get acclimated to the team.
The stars were Leeds’ defensive resolve and Newcastle’s superior midfield, and that tells you all you need to know about a game that was not fruitful for those seeking entertainment.
Short-handed Newcastle paying price for late transfers (Leeds, too)
The Magpies have been decent to start the Premier League season and it comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that they are not getting rewarded for their work on account of the holdout Alexander Isak and injuries to Joelinton and Anthony Gordon. The problem is that Newcastle knew Isak was unsettled and knew Callum Wilson was gone long before that. They failed to land any of their first half-dozen (or more) forward targets and have now played two games with Anthony Gordon up top and one with still-green William Osula as the target man. Leeds, meanwhile, might’ve been able to breakthrough for three points had Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin been with the team longer. Lucas Nmecha started between Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James, and the attacking trio were arguably the only three of the Starting XI not to claim effective performances from this game. Mark the reverse fixture on your calendars, because it will not end 0-0.
What’s next?
The international break! Newcastle then welcome Wolves to St. James’ Park on Sept. 13 before a Champions League visit from Barcelona five days later.
Leeds will visit Fulham on Sept. 13 and then go to Wolves in Week 5.
How to watch Leeds vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Saturday (August 30)
Venue: Elland Road — Leeds
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch on NBC.com & Stream live on Peacock
Leeds vs Newcastle final score: 0-0
Clean sheets: Lucas Perri, Nick Pope
Leeds vs Newcastle live updates — by Nick Mendola
Eddie Howe reaction
On the game: “It was really hard fought. You know here it’s never going to be easy. We played well in patches. Our defensive display was fine, we looked resilient and strong. Our attacking play wasn’t good today though the end product wasn’t quite there.”
On Nick Woltemade signing: “Disappointed that we don’t get to work with him tomorrow. We’re just looking forward to when we do get to work with him. He has unique qualities. Very technically gifted and of course a presence in the box”
On the effort: “Slightly frustrated because we had some chances, probably not as many as we would’ve wanted but the players’ heart was undeniable. Maybe we were a bit tired after Monday.”
Looking forward to the end of the transfer window? “I think it’ll be great for us. It’s been a negative window not in terms of who we brought in because of the constant noise around us.”
Sandro Tonali reaction
Hard to rebound from your shoulder injury? “I’m fine. Maybe after the game with Liverpool, my position was difficult but I worked every day 10 hours a day in the training room. Thank you to the physio, the staff, and my wife, cause she was alone at home. This week alone for me was difficult but the team did great work. This game was difficult. You know if you play here away it’s not an easy game, but we dominated the game. We played really well in the first half. The second half we need to improve the last 25 meters because we need to score a goal. It’s difficult because we had to settle for a point today. We need to keep pushing, keep working, and after the international break we need to keep working. Our team, the gaffer, we know our way.”
Tought first month with the transfer window drama? “It’s a difficult month to start against Aston Villa, Liverpool, and today away in a difficult place to way. All three games we dominated. Every time we play at St. James’ Park the game is different. I’m happy for every game, for every player, for every 90 minutes. It’s normal you can’t win every game. You want to win every game but it’s difficult. We have to keep working and pushing because this is the Premier League.”
Full time — Leeds vs Newcastle final stats
Possession: Newcastle, 54%
Shot attempts: Leeds, 10-8
Shots on target: Newcastle, 2-1
Corner kicks: 5-5
Nick Pope save
We’ve relegated ourselves to reporting half chances.
A possible foul at midfield springs a counter attack, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin drags a hit-and-hope shot into the left leg of Nick Pope.
0-0, 90'.
Six minutes stoppage.
More changes
Sven Botman has taken a knock and will leave the game for Harvey Barnes.
Leeds soon make a move with Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming into the fray for Lucas Nmecha.
0-0, 70'
Subs
Hopefully this leads to... anything!
Newcastle bring on Lewis Hall and Anthony Elanga for Kieran Trippier and Jacob Murphy.
Leeds opt for Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson for Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James.
0-0 into the 63rd minute.
Low on high danger
Jacob Murphy snaps the game to life, winning a 55th-minute corner with a left-footed strike.
Leeds deal with the near-post service. Still 0-0.
Newcastle sub
Lewis Miley replaces Ramsey at the break.
Halftime — Leeds 0-0 Newcastle
Either team could be ahead here.
Will Newcastle opt for a more attacking idea in the second half? Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes are on the bench.
For Leeds, a point would do but there’s a lot of firepower on the bench with AC Milan import Noah Okafor joining Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison, Joel Piroe, and Brenden Aaronson available.
Magpies flashing but need forward
New signing Nick Woltemade is in the crowd and Eddie Howe could use him now.
With Anthony Gordon suspended and Alexander Isak holding out for a move, the Magpies have changed their formation to use William Osula up top with makeshift forward Jacob Murphy joining him. Jacob Ramsey occasionally jumps in from midfield, where he’s deputizing for Joelinton.
It’s a sort of 3-5-2 for Newcastle, and Daniel Farke’s Leeds press has given it fits at times.
Leeds start brightly
Possession is 50/50 but the first three shots are all to the hosts.
Newcastle missing Joelinton so far and the man who would take his place last season, Sean Longstaff, is doing well against his former club.
0-0, 18'.
Underway
We’re off at Elland Road.
Leeds lineup
Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gruev, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Stach, James, Gnonto, Nmecha
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Schar, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula
Leeds vs Newcastle preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
It’s still early days but Daniel Farke’s side looked impressive in their 1-0 win over Everton during the opening weekend of the season. They were then hammered 5-0 away at Arsenal, which can happen. Leeds will make Elland Road a fortress and if they’re going to stay up, they need to embrace the chaos and intensity of their home games, while also staying solid defensively.
Newcastle gave absolutely everything in their last-gasp 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday. After Anthony Gordon was sent off for a ridiculous challenge in the first half, Newcastle rallied from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 and were pushing to win it. But a 100th-minute winner for Liverpool was a punch to the gut for Eddie Howe’s side. There’s also the final few days of the window to sort out, with Alexander Isak’s future still uncertain.
Leeds team news, focus
Farke’s side have to keep things tight and look to the pace of Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James on the counter. The new duo of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor in attack will take time to get up to speed and both struggled in their shock defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup in midweek. Losing midfielders Tanaka and Ampadu to injury is far from ideal for Leeds.
OUT: Ao Tanaka (knee), Ethan Ampadu (knee)
Newcastle team news, focus
The Magpies lost four key players during their defeat to Liverpool with Tonali, Joelinton and Schar all going off with injuries, plus Gordon was sent off for a crazy challenge. The fight and spirit is there for the Magpies, but the Isak situation has rumbled on all summer and has clearly impacted them. William Osula could start up top given his goal and general performance off the bench against Liverpool, while Eddie Howe will have to get creative in midfield as Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey could start. Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes will start out wide and try to get at Leeds full backs early and often.
OUT: Anthony Gordon (suspension), Fabian Schar (concussion), Alexander Isak (club discipline), Sandro Tonali (shoulder), Joelinton (hip)
Leeds vs Newcastle prediction
This feels like it will be a draw as Newcastle struggle without a host of key players. Leeds will dig in and be tricky on the counter. Leeds 1-1 Newcastle.
