Newcastle United vs Leeds United. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,211.
Free highlights and match report as Newcastle unable to capitalise on Man City's draw with Everton to go second in the Premier League table; Chris Wood, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton among the players to miss chances for the Magpies; Leeds' best chance saw Rodrigo's shot saved by Nick Pope
Sunday 1 January 2023 07:18, UK
Newcastle's six-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end on New Year's Eve as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Leeds, missing the chance to go second in the table heading into 2023.
The Magpies were unable to capitalise after Manchester City also drew with Everton, but remain third in the Premier League on 34 points - two behind Pep Guardiola's side - as the new year beckons.
The game was played in difficult circumstances as the rain lashed down at St James' Park and was fiery at times, but a dominant Newcastle were unable to find a way past a stubborn Leeds defence, who kept their first clean sheet in eight league games.
Illan Meslier made some fine saves too, keeping out Chris Wood and Fabian Schar on multiple occasions, while Sean Longstaff and Joelinton were among the players to fire wide as Newcastle racked up 16 shots and an xG of 2.11.
They will perhaps feel aggrieved to have not been awarded a late first-half penalty after Tyler Adams' clumsy challenge on Schar. Tensions boiled over late on too as Newcastle's frustrations came to the fore, but Leeds held on for an impressive point.
Jesse Marsch's side will finish the year in 14th place on 16 points, three above the relegation places, and the Leeds head coach was delighted with how his side performed.
"We defended really well, particularly set pieces because in the second half specifically they put balls forward almost every time they had a chance," he said.
"Our mentality to get the clean sheet was fantastic and then executing what we wanted on set piece situations, we managed it really well. Illan Meslier had a big day as well."
There was a touching tribute to Pele from Bruno Guimaraes ahead of kick-off. The midfielder wore a Brazil shirt with 'Pele' on the back as the players gathered around the centre circle for a minute's applause to remember the football legend.
It was an end-to-end start at a windswept St James' Park too. Newcastle created the better openings though, with Wood unable to capitalise after rounding Meslier before Joelinton also fired straight at the Leeds goalkeeper.
But Newcastle soon began to dominate with Kieran Trippier's set-piece delivery causing Leeds real problems. Two corners saw Schar send a free header wide, with Dan Burn and the in-form Miguel Almiron also unable to convert. Sven Botman then forced a save from Meslier from a Trippier free-kick.
Newcastle will questions why they were not awarded a penalty in the first half. Schar led the counter-attack, before being fouled inside the area by Adams. However, despite there being a case to answer from the clumsy challenge, VAR did not review the incident.
The second half was fit for a New Year's Eve fireworks display, and both goalkeepers were worked early on. Trippier's free-kick was knocked down by Botman to Wood, but Meslier was out quickly to smuggle the ball away from the striker's feet. At the other end, Nick Pope dived to keep out Rodrigo's curling effort.
Meslier denied Schar once again as another easy header was pushed away by the Leeds goalkeeper. Longstaff had a glorious chance soon after with only Meslier to beat from close range, but he sent his shot over.
With Newcastle in the ascendancy, they soon introduced Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maxmin. However, chances continued to pass them by - Longstaff and Joelinton both blazed over from range as the home crowd became increasingly frustrated.
It soon spilled over onto the pitch in the final minute of four added on. Wilson took issue with a lengthy clearance from Meslier, pushing the goalkeeper to the floor. There were then confrontations between both sets of players before Wilson and Guimaraes were booked.
Another fine performance from the Leeds goalkeeper, who was key in keeping a clean sheet for his side.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe:
"It was one of those days for us. We had enough chances to win the game comfortably, it just wouldn't go in for us today.
"Right from the start, we had some really good moments in the game and you have to take one of those chances that we created.
"It's a sign of how far we've come that they were time-wasting and taking seconds out of the game. From our perspective, we have to do better in certain situations. All that was missing was the killer instinct in front of goal.
"We became frustrated with our play and it became bitty and fragmented, but we were still producing chances right to the end. We're disappointed in the dressing room. We hoped to win today.
"A lot has happened in the year when you rewind 365 days and think back to where we were. The strides made by the players and everyone connected with the club, it's been a great year and we look forward now to another year ahead. We hope we can continue the momentum we've got."
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch:
"We defended really well, particularly set pieces because in the second half specifically, they put balls forward almost every time they had a chance.
"Our mentality to get the clean sheet was fantastic and then executing what we wanted on set-piece situations, we managed it really well. Illan Meslier had a big day as well.
"We are very unified on the inside. It's a tight-knit group, it's a group that cares about the club and about the direction of the club.
"Regardless of whether guys are in the starting line-up, coming off the bench, everyone knows it requires all of our energy in the same direction to give ourselves a chance to be a good team in this league. I think there's an appreciation from the fans to see a hard-working, committed team.
"I thought, in the first half, maybe we could have gotten a goal and we were actually quite good. It was unfortunate, maybe, but Newcastle have amazing first halves.
"For us to get to half-time 0-0, play quite well and weather the storm in the second half, I thought it was a good point."
Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports News:
"It's poor finishing from Newcastle, but if you go to St James' Park and defend like that, you thoroughly deserve it [a point]. Leeds defended excellently and they were outstanding.
"It's a good point for them because no one expected them to get anything, but Newcastle will feel frustrated because they were the better team.
"You can never write off Newcastle [for the title race]. At the start of the season, would we be saying Newcastle are in there? No chance, so their fans will probably not think they've got a chance, but it depends what kind of business they do in January.
"They'll be disappointed today, but you can't write them off."
Newcastle's first game of 2023 will come on Tuesday as they travel to Arsenal in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 7.45pm. Leeds will play on Wednesday as they welcome West Ham to Elland Road; kick-off 7.45pm.
