Wood late show is a big blow for Rafa
JUST when Rafa Benitez’s faith in refereeing had been restored, Leeds levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time — which the Newcastle manager thought was excessive.
Chris Wood was the visiting hero, volleying in from six yards to salvage what could yet prove an invaluable point in Leeds’s quest for the play-offs.
But Benitez was left raging, especially as good officiating had appeared to help his side on their way to victory.
Last time out at St James’ Park they were the victims of a decision which has seen the match officials axed from all fixtures. But this time they got the closest of calls spot on.
It was against Burton 10 days ago that Matt Ritchie’s converted penalty was disallowed for encroaching and — incorrectly — a free-kick was awarded to the visiting team.
Newcastle eventually won that night but the fallout for Keith Stroud and his assistants, whose interpretation of the rules was wrong, has been severe.
Not this time, though. The game was goalless midway through the second half when home captain Jamaal Lascelles turned a header on target from close range. Goalkeeper Rob Green dived to scoop the ball clear and it looked as if the danger had been averted.
Not so, and assistant referee Philip Dermott flagged for a goal, correctly spotting that the effort had crossed the line, but only just. Without the aid of goal-line technology that was some call.
Newcastle started slowly, they usually do on their own patch. Leeds sought to take advantage and Alfonso Pedraza saw his dipping strike clatter off the underside of the bar before Kemar mar Roofe followed up with a header der which goalkeeper Karl Darlow low saved on the line.
At least that scare served to snap the hosts from their early y slumber and Matt Ritchie was denied an opening goal when his low blast was blocked by Wood, the striker making a crucial intervention inside his own six-yard area.
Newcastle playmaker Jonjo Shelvey had been starved of the ball during the early exchanges and so attempted to o stamp his mark with a shot directct from a corner.
It was a devilish effort which had Green scrambling across his goalmouth and paddling clear.
Ritchie then went close on two occasions after combining with lone frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic but the closest Newcastle came to a breakthrough was four minutes before half-time.
Leeds were careless in possession at the back and that allowed Yoan Gouffran to pounce with his shot hitting the base of a post before Ritchie connected with the rebound only to see his low strike diverted over by Pontus Jansson.
From the resulting corner, centre back Chancel Mbemba — unmarked just four yards from goal — headed straight at Green, who instinctively slapped the effort over the bar.
They may have started the half on the front foot, but Leeds finished it on the retreat.
And the second period began in much the same manner, Ritchie dropping a free-kick towards the bottom corner where Green smothered at the foot of the post.
This relentless assault on the visiting goal was showing no sign of letting up and penalty appeals were waved away when Mbemba, attempting to connect with a far-post corner, toppled to the turf followingfo a grappling match with LukeL Ayling.
The Toon Army have long since been frustrated by a home campaign which has been functional ratherra than flourishing, but this wasw as exciting as it has been, at leastle in terms of attacking intent.
Green was keeping his side in the game but he had Jansson to thank for preserving parity on 64 minutes. Ritchie’s cross was headed back towards his keeper by Ayling but Green lost his foot race with Mitrovic before the Serbian’s lob was headed clear by Jansson.
But Green could not prevent Lascelles’ header creeping over moments later. There was also nothing opposite number Darlow could do to keep out Wood’s strike at the death.