Jonjo finally gets Toon’s mojo working
SHELVEY SET HIS SIGHTS ON HUGE THREE POINTS
EDDIE HOWE saluted a ‘heroic effort’ as Jonjo Shelvey’s winner enabled Tyneside to heave a huge sigh of relief.
The Toon boss dipped into his book of managerial superlatives, trying to describe the importance of an Elland Road triumph that showed the Magpies are very much alive and kicking.
Tested physically from first whistle by Leeds’ energy, the relegation-threatened visitors took the sting out of the game and then delivered a killer blow with the midfielder’s free-kick 15 minutes from time.
At the final whistle, Allan SaintMaximin sank to his knees and looked up to the sky, Shelvey (below) lay flat on his back – and Howe clenched his fist and screamed “Yes!” as he shared a hug with assistant Jason Tindall.
In the visiting section of the John Charles Stand, there was bedlam. It was understandable.
This was only Newcastle’s second win of the season, a first on their travels for eight months and only their second clean sheet.
As his side moved to within a point of safety, Howe (above, right) said: “They really put in a shift – to a man, everyone contributed.
“There was incredible intensity about that performance. We had to be very good physically – we’ve picked up injuries off the back of it – but it was a heroic effort. “It was just a massive win for us – and a big test after last week. But I thought
we played very well.
The first half was a bit cagey. In the second, we played really well, defended well and became a real threat on the counter-attack the longer the game went on.
“And, after conceding late on last week, we have also overcome a big psychological hurdle. I didn’t feel we would concede today.
“We hope to use it as a turning point in our season
– we need to – we need more wins, so fingers crossed.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted he was “very frustrated” after the final whistle, moaning about time-wasting. A complaint that carried little merit, overall.
He felt his side had enough firepower on the pitch to make a difference. Buoyed by three points at West Ham, the hosts set about
their task with gusto. The problem was they never quite found the key to unlock the door.
Newcastle withstood that early barrage and earned their late break.
It was Dan James who wasted Leeds’ best effort in the opening 10 minutes after Raphinha – their most likely source of a goal – pulled the ball back to him just 10 yards out. Martin Dubravka’s left hand stopped that.
Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles – who limped out of the action with a suspected hamstring strain – blocked from Rodrigo and then James half-hit a shot midway through the second half which Dubravka picked up.
Thereafter, it was Newcastle’s game. Sub Sean Longstaff fired inches wide and then fellow replacement Javier Manquillo’s run from left-back ended with Diego Llorente hauling him over just outside the area.
Shelvey stepped up and curled an effort that Leeds keeper Illan Meslier could only help parry into the net. It wasn’t the sweetest shot he has ever struck, but it could turn out to be one of the most important.
Newcastle should have had a penalty nine minutes from time when Robin Koch clipped Saint-Maximin’s ankle. Strangely, referee Chris Kavanagh did not choose to review it. Had he done so, the margin of victory could have been greater.
“It was very frustrating,” said Bielsa.
“After last week, this was a game to show our consistency. It was an important opportunity, but one we didn’t take.
“When you have chances and don’t score, everyone refers to your goalscorer – but we didn’t create enough.”