No excuse for manner of this capitulation
NEWCASTLE United capitulated in the closing stages as Leeds ran riot to beat the Magpies 5-2 at Elland Road.
Jeff Hendrick gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half but Patrick Bamford equalised 10 minutes later before Rodrigo went on to put the Whites in front after the hour mark.
Newcastle equalised through Ciaran Clark just a few minutes later but poor defending at the back cost Steve Bruce’s side dearly as Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison all scored late on.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
A capitulation that was coming
There is only so much Karl Darlow can do. The Newcastle goalkeeper made some important saves to keep out Liam Cooper’s header and Raphinha’s closerange effort in the first half but when you invite pressure the way the Magpies do, eventually, they are going to get punished just as they were against Manchester United back in October.
Leeds had a whopping 25 efforts on goal and Darlow was let down by his defenders time and time again in the closing stages as the Whites ran riot.
Newcastle made Marcelo Bielsa’s side look like title challengers rather than a team who were one place below them in the table going into this.
Newcastle, admittedly, have had to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak but a late rally was key to Saturday’s win against West Brom and Bruce made four changes to that side to freshen things up for this game.
There was no excuse for the manner of this capitulation.
Newcastle are the architects of their own downfall
Leeds were 2-1 up for three minutes when Newcastle were awarded a second successive corner and Ryan Fraser picked out Ciaran Clark, who headed the Magpies level midway through the second half.
It was a fine response from the visitors and that is what makes Newcastle’s defending for Leeds’ final three goals so frustrating.
Sean Longstaff was caught in possession in a dangerous area before Stuart Armstrong doubled
Southampton’s advantage last month and the midfielder was again caught dawdling late on against Leeds.
The Whites ruthlessly punished that error as Mateusz Kilch crossed the ball in and Stuart Dallas was, somehow, unmarked at the back post to put Leeds in front for the second time on the night.
Leeds’ fourth and fifth goals were ruthless counter-attacks which, remarkably, came from Newcastle’s own corner kicks.
Newcastle’s set-piece homework is in vain
Whatever is said about Leeds’ strengths – the way Marcelo Bielsa’s side press and move and the intensity they play with – the Whites have a very obvious weakness at set-pieces.
Going into this game, Leeds had conceded 11 Premier League goals from set plays this season and Newcastle exploited that chink in Bielsa’s armour midway through the second half.
Leeds were just ahead for three minutes when Newcastle were awarded a second successive corner and Ryan Fraser picked out Ciaran Clark, who headed the Magpies level after leaping above Luke Ayling. Speaking about corners and free-kicks ahead of the game, Bruce said ‘they are a huge part of the game’ and ‘it’s something we’ll look at of course’.
Ultimately, that homework was in vain as Leeds took Newcastle apart from their own set-pieces late on.
Ryan Fraser catches the eye in defeat
Steve Bruce went as far as to say Ryan Fraser felt like a ‘new signing’ for Newcastle after the forward recovered from a hamstring injury and it was easy to see why.
The Scotland international made just his second league start for the Magpies at Elland Road and was the visitors’ bright spark down the left. Indeed, against the run of play, Newcastle seemed to take a lot of confidence after Fraser’s 25th-minute effort forced Illan Meslier into a smart stop. Just a minute later, the Magpies were in front as all four of the club’s summer signings combined. Jamal Lewis picked out Fraser down the left and the forward’s teasing delivery was flicked on by Callum Wilson at the near post and Jeff Hendrick was there at the back stick to stab home. Fraser’s delivery was, obviously, key to the goal and the 26-year-old also set up Clark’s equaliser with a fine corner midway through the second half before going off.
A huge week ahead
Newcastle have the chance to make amends when the Magpies face another newly-promoted outfit, Fulham, at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Just a few days later, the Magpies travel to the capital to take on Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and, given the amount of games coming up, Bruce can ill-afford a slump.
Having previously recorded back-to-back wins against Crystal Palace and West Brom, Newcastle have to get this sobering defeat out of their system. Fast.