Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United: Elland Road Erupts Under the Lights

Premier League — Full-Time
Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United
Man of the Match: Noah Okafor

Under the lights at Elland Road, the “Howay the Lads” of Newcastle arrived looking to topple Leeds United in what promised to be an entertaining attacking encounter.

Both defences were going to be tested, while the goalkeepers looked certain to be called into action. What followed was a night of attacking football, momentum swings and, ultimately, a statement victory for the home side.

First Half

1 minute — Leeds come flying out

Leeds United kick things off and immediately attack with pace.

The opening exchanges are played at a furious tempo, with the home side looking to put Newcastle under pressure from the very beginning. The Elland Road crowd are already in full voice, getting right behind their team.

Newcastle have to survive the opening five to ten minutes of this Leeds wave.

4 minutes — Leeds have the early edge

The initial fury has settled slightly and the feeling-out process is underway.

Both sides are looking to get control of possession, but Leeds appear to have the upper hand early on. They are moving the ball nicely and looking dangerous whenever they get forward.

8 minutes — Scrappy opening

The last few minutes have been scrappy, with both teams battling for possession without producing a clear-cut opportunity.

Leeds continue to look towards their attacking wingers and wing-backs to get in behind Newcastle.

Gudmundsson and Okafor are finding particular success down the left, and Newcastle are struggling to completely shut that route down.

12 minutes — Newcastle beginning to settle

Newcastle haven’t fully settled yet, while Leeds have shown some sloppiness in possession that could eventually give the visitors a route into the game.

With Joe Rodon absent and Nico Elvedi making his first start at Elland Road, Newcastle may look to target that area and see how Leeds cope under sustained pressure.

14 minutes — HUGE CHANCE FOR LEEDS!

AO Tanaka produces a fantastic cross from the left towards the opposite side.

James Justin heads it back into the danger area and the Leeds striker gets a flick on it. It looks for a moment as though Newcastle’s goalkeeper (Lukas Hornicek) has been caught off guard, but he reacts brilliantly to make the save.

A warning for Newcastle.

15 minutes — Leeds enjoying the better start

Leeds have enjoyed the opening 15 minutes and are beginning to look comfortable in possession.

The passing is sharp, the movement is good and they are starting to control the rhythm of the match.

However, Leeds need to make this spell count. Newcastle have the quality to punish them if they switch off, particularly on the counter-attack.

One battle that is already becoming fascinating is the pace of Wissa against Leeds’ defensive setup. Wissa is rapid, and Leeds know they cannot afford to give him space.

19 minutes — Concussion substitute

Nico Gonzalez is being checked following a head injury and Newcastle are forced into a concussion substitution.

With a new player coming onto the pitch, can Leeds take advantage of the disruption and immediately increase the pressure?

20 minutes — Newcastle growing into it

Newcastle are slowly growing into the match.

Leeds have been sloppy on the ball at times, and with Newcastle starting to find a little more control, those mistakes could become dangerous.

Wissa looks particularly sharp and is clearly up for the occasion.

The visitors are mixing up their attacking approach, but so far they haven’t found a consistent way to exploit Leeds.

25 minutes — Still waiting for the breakthrough

The last ten minutes haven’t produced anything spectacular and the match is still waiting for that huge moment.

Leeds need to keep exciting the crowd and get Elland Road even more vocal. The atmosphere can become a weapon in itself, and the players will feed off that energy.

28 minutes — Leeds exploiting the left

Leeds are attacking down the left again and, almost every time they go that way, they are either getting in behind or finding a way to deliver into the box.

Leeds have identified an area of weakness and should continue attacking it until Newcastle make a tactical adjustment.

30 minutes — Newcastle would be happier at 0-0

If I’m looking at the managers’ perspectives, Newcastle’s boss would probably be the happier of the two if this remained 0-0.

They haven’t looked particularly dangerous, but they have kept Leeds relatively quiet in terms of clear-cut opportunities.

Daniel Farke, meanwhile, will feel Leeds have had enough possession and promising situations to create something more dangerous.

31 minutes — GOAL! LEEDS UNITED 1-0 NEWCASTLE

AO Tanaka!

Leeds build down the left once again. Okafor does brilliantly, cutting inside before laying the ball off to Tanaka.

Tanaka takes a touch and strikes — but the shot takes a couple of deflections off Newcastle players before flying into the net.

The goalkeeper has absolutely no chance.

Leeds 1-0 Newcastle.

Elland Road erupts.

33 minutes — The game has finally opened up

The match needed a goal to spark it into life, and now that Leeds have found the breakthrough, this game could really open up.

The crowd have gone up another level and Leeds will be hungry for a second.

34 minutes — GOAL! LEEDS UNITED 2-0 NEWCASTLE

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN! (This goal has been awarded to Jayden Bogle) 

I am still writing this as Dominic's goal 

What a header!

Newcastle are sloppy in possession and Leeds win the ball back before moving it out to the right.

The cross comes into the box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin rises brilliantly to dominate the challenge and power his header home.

He hasn’t had an enormous amount to do tonight, but that’s what goalscorers do — when the opportunity comes, they are there.

Leeds 2-0 Newcastle.

36 minutes — Leeds smelling blood

Elland Road has gone up another notch.

Leeds are now riding a huge wave of momentum and will want to make it count before half-time.

Newcastle desperately need to calm themselves down and refocus. They can still get back into this match, but they need to find a way through a Leeds side that are now winning almost every battle.

40 minutes — What a turnaround

It’s amazing what ten minutes can do.

Earlier I suggested Newcastle’s manager would have been happy going into half-time at 0-0.

Now Daniel Farke will be delighted with a 2-0 lead.

Leeds must remain focused, though. They cannot allow Newcastle back into this game.

For Newcastle, something has to change. They are being outmuscled in challenges and are struggling to find any consistent attacking rhythm.

42 minutes — Leeds slow it down

The game has quietened down slightly.

Both teams seem to be waiting for the half-time whistle, with Newcastle needing to regroup and Leeds needing to ensure they don’t throw away the excellent position they have created for themselves.

45 minutes — GOAL! LEEDS UNITED 3-0 NEWCASTLE

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN THIS TIME GET'S HIS GOAL!

Leeds have struck again right on the stroke of half-time.

A questionable cross from Bogle somehow finds its way across the box and Newcastle fail to deal with the danger.

Leeds work the ball into Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the striker makes no mistake, producing a composed finish.

Leeds 3-0 Newcastle.

What a first half for Leeds.

HALF-TIME: LEEDS UNITED 3-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Half-Time Analysis

Leeds United

Leeds have been excellent.

They have taken their control and possession and, crucially, turned it into goals.

The 3-0 scoreline gives them a huge advantage, but they cannot switch off. Leeds have previously shown that even a two-goal advantage can disappear, so they must learn from those experiences.

Defensively, there have still been moments of sloppiness and they need to tighten up if they want to secure the clean sheet.

Newcastle United

A devastating first half for Newcastle.

They have struggled to produce a clear attacking plan and have failed to consistently break through the Leeds defence.

Wissa has looked sharp, but he has been trying to turn scraps into opportunities.

The Newcastle manager needs to find something — anything — to get his team back into this match and put Leeds under pressure.

Second Half

Newcastle come out with a much higher tempo.

They immediately have more possession, while Leeds press aggressively. Newcastle are doing a better job of playing around the press and this is already a much better start to the second half for the visitors.

There are no changes to either team, so it appears Newcastle have made a tactical adjustment rather than personnel changes.

The question is whether it can get them back into the game.

50 minutes — Newcastle start better

Newcastle have started the second half much better.

Leeds are being slightly sloppy in possession again, and that could give Newcastle an opportunity to build some confidence.

Leeds need to be careful.

53 minutes — Newcastle building confidence

Another careless spell from Leeds allows Newcastle to grow into the game.

Nothing major has happened yet, but if anyone looks likely to score next, it is Newcastle.

Leeds cannot become complacent.

54 minutes — Leeds nearly make it four

Newcastle try to play out from the back and get caught.

Leeds win the ball and Anton Stach drives into the box before attempting to chip the goalkeeper.

It beats the keeper but finds the side netting.

Stach probably should have played the ball across to Okafor — that could have been 4-0.

Still, Leeds remain firmly in control.

57 minutes — Newcastle make three changes

Newcastle turn to the bench, with Willock, Livramento and Touré coming on in an attempt to change the game.

They need something special.

59 minutes — GOAL! LEEDS UNITED 4-0 NEWCASTLE

NOAH OKAFOR!

A long throw is launched into the Newcastle box.

The ball is headed away but falls straight to Okafor, who meets it beautifully on the half-volley.

He strikes it cleanly.

Inside the post and in!

LEEDS 4-0 NEWCASTLE.

Elland Road is absolutely loving this.

Newcastle simply don’t know what has hit them.

65 minutes — Leeds relentless

The match remains open, and Newcastle are now playing for pride.

They can still potentially find a goal if they continue attacking Leeds, because there have been moments of vulnerability in the home defence.

But Leeds are relentless.

They want more.

The atmosphere at Elland Road is electric and the home supporters are enjoying every second.

71 minutes — Leeds make changes

Leeds begin to make their own changes, bringing on Wilson, Barden and Aaronson.

It’s the perfect time to rotate and rest key players with the result seemingly secure.

Before the substitutions, however, Leeds had again shown some naivety at the back.

Newcastle have had opportunities to create better chances, but their lack of quality in the final third has let them down.

Leeds managing the game.

Leeds are slowly losing some of the attacking flair and pace they showed earlier.

Now it appears the priority is protecting the lead and, importantly, protecting goalkeeper Trafford’s clean sheet.

Newcastle need to dust themselves down and prepare for their next match against Hull City.

They can control possession, but possession means very little if you cannot turn it into clear-cut chances.

James Trafford has had a relatively comfortable evening.

82 minutes — The game becomes a training exercise

The last ten minutes have been fairly uneventful.

The match has almost turned into a training exercise.

Newcastle don’t appear to have much left in the tank, while Leeds have moved away from the fast-flowing attacking football they produced in the first half.

88 minutes — Leeds nearly add another

Finally, a genuine opportunity.

Dan James shows his excellent pace on the counter-attack down the right before delivering a lovely cross into the box.

Lukas Nmecha gets close but just can’t make the crucial connection.

Leeds nearly add a fifth.

89 minutes — GOAL! NEWCASTLE PULL ONE BACK

TOURÉ!

Livramento sends a low cross across the box and it eventually reaches Touré.

He makes no mistake, firing a low finish into the bottom corner.

Leeds 4-1 Newcastle.

No clean sheet for Leeds, and Daniel Farke will certainly be frustrated.

At 4-0, Leeds should have been looking to see the game out without conceding.

90 minutes — Full-time approaching

Nothing more of note happens as Leeds cruise towards the final whistle.

It has been an excellent performance and a massive three points for the home side.

FULL-TIME: LEEDS UNITED 4-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Final Analysis

Leeds United

A fantastic victory and another huge boost to their momentum.

Leeds were aggressive, confident and clinical when their opportunities arrived.

However, the scoreline shouldn’t completely hide the defensive concerns.

There were several occasions where Leeds were sloppy in possession and a better team could punish those mistakes much more severely.

They have the physical strength, attacking quality and intensity to cause plenty of problems this season — but tightening things up defensively will be crucial.

The next challenge is to take this momentum into the game against Crystal Palace.

With European football being discussed around Elland Road, performances like this will only encourage those dreams.

If Leeds can turn Elland Road into a fortress, who knows how far they can go?

Newcastle United

There aren’t many positives Newcastle can take from this evening.

Their biggest issue was their lack of a clear attacking plan.

They controlled possession at times, but they struggled to turn that possession into genuine opportunities.

Compare that with Leeds, who repeatedly attacked down the left and right, identified weaknesses and continued exploiting them.

Newcastle need to dust themselves down quickly and come up with a much clearer plan for Hull City.

Possession is only useful if you can turn it into goalscoring opportunities.

Tonight, they couldn’t.

MAN OF THE MATCH: NOAH OKAFOR

For me, Noah Okafor was outstanding.

So many Leeds attacks involved him, whether it was through his build-up play, his movement, his link-up work or his willingness to take on defenders.

And then he got his reward with a fantastic goal.

He wasn’t afraid to attack his full-back and continually looked to make something happen.

If Okafor can maintain this confidence and consistency, he could have a standout season in the famous Mighty Whites shirt.

Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United.

A statement night under the lights at Elland Road.

Just Lovin Football verdict: Leeds are rolling — and the rest of the Premier League should be taking notice.