Newcastle 0 Leeds United 0

Last updated : 01 January 2023 By By Matthew Henry

Just like the rain, Newcastle United did not let up. But as relentless as Eddie Howe’s side were in pursuit of a seventh straight win, Leeds United were equally resistant.

Newcastle offered almost all the attacking threat at St James' Park but were unable to find a winner which would have given them a seventh consecutive league win.

Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier saved excellently from both Chris Wood and Fabian Schar in the second half, which was played almost exclusively in the visitors' territory.

Still, Newcastle are now unbeaten in 12 games - a run which goes back to August - and are two points behind second-placed Manchester City. They are nine adrift of leaders Arsenal, who increased their cushion with victory against Brighton.

The hard-earned point for Leeds, who had one shot on target all match, moved them up a place to 14th.

Jesse Marsch's side are now three points clear of the relegation zone.

 

Much has been made of Newcastle as an attacking force this season with Miguel Almiron the most obvious improvement. Despite almost constant pressure, the winger was largely kept in check by Leeds' resolute defence, who repelled wave after wave of Newcastle attack.

 

Sean Longstaff blazed over from inside the area but otherwise Newcastle's clearest opening came from set-pieces with Kieran Tripper's delivery proving dangerous.

 

Meslier spread himself to make the block at the feet of Wood after a knock-down and saved with his feet to keep out Schar's header.

Callum Wilson, fit again after illness, came on after 64 minutes for his first appearance since the World Cup but was kept quiet.

Meanwhile, the clenched-fisted celebrations at the end from Leeds, whose one goalbound effort was a curling strike by Rodrigo tipped away by Nick Pope, suggested this was a point gained from their perspective.

"I feel good about coming here and getting a draw," Marsch said. "The first half was good from us but in the second half they started playing every ball into our end.

"I'm happy with how we dealt with the crowd and the mentality to get a draw and keep a clean sheet."

 

 

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock (Saint-Maximin 64); Almiron (Murphy 84), Joelinton, Wood (Wilson 64)

 

Booked: Trippier, Wilson, Guimaraes

 

Manager: Eddie Howe

 

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling (Kristensen 70), Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Forshaw (Roca 46), Adams; Harrison (Klich 64), Aaronson, Gnonto (Summerville 70); Rodrigo (Gelhardt 82)

 

Booked: Ayling, Struijk, Roca, Gnonto, Meslier

 

Manager: Jesse Marsch