>
Only like the rain, Newcastle United did not let up. But as relentless as Eddie Howe’s side were in seeking a seventh successive win, Leeds United proved just as resilient.
Waterproof? There is no chance in the midst of this downpour. But if their yellow jerseys weren’t already soaked to the skin by the end, they would have been drenched in sweat, such was the effort required to repel the fittest team in the country.
These were two points lost for Newcastle and one won for Leeds – 16 shots to eight tells you that. Still, it would be hard to argue that there was gross injustice in the result.
Fabian Schar missed three great chances as Newcastle had to settle for a point against Leeds
Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff missed a couple of great chances to give his team all three points
The definition of the premises was as wild as time at times. The good folks at Gallowgate End were taking cover from both the rainwater and Sean Longstaff’s shots in the second half. When they found the target, Illan Meslier was as stubborn as the monsoon.
Leeds offered very little at the other end but, when they are routinely criticized for being too open and chaotic, a more disciplined display and a first clean sheet in nine games should at least be applauded.
The draw moves them to three points out of the bottom three, while Newcastle remain third.
Jesse Marsch, unlike Jessie J, says it’s money when it comes to Newcastle’s recent promotion.
What he forgets, or conveniently ignores, is that Howe has made his team one of the most cohesive and energetic in the Premier League. The criticism of Marsch is that he has not done it.
Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier had a good game, making a good save from Chris Wood in the second half.
Nick Pope also had to get off his line quickly in the first half to stop Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson.
This, then, at least felt like progress for the American, in terms of a game plan that was being executed.
However, it was not pretty. Indeed, it was little in an afternoon when conditions helped a snappy approach game, but they were far from kind to those trying to apply some finesse in the final third.
“It was a frustrating afternoon and all that was left was the end,” Howe said. ‘We created enough chances, but it wasn’t like that.
‘The set plays were a big threat for us today. We recently took one of those opportunities and it changed the game.
But there was a feeling of impatience. We were desperate to score and we controlled the game. The weather perhaps suited Leeds as it caused the game to stop and start.
Newcastle defender Fabian Schar (pictured) was brought down inside the box against Leeds
A year ago, Newcastle were 19th. Howe smiled when he remembered this afterwards.
“It’s important that the players keep that perspective,” he added. There is absolutely no need for me to have negativity towards them or them towards each other.
‘They have given everything. They created the chances but sometimes football works like that. He would back us to win that game handily if we were to play it again.
Not that anyone wants to endure that deluge for another 90 minutes. Marsch, his wet sweater still stained, was certainly happy to get away with a point made and a point proven.
“Before the World Cup, we were giving away goals at low cost and we wanted to do better with that,” he said.
‘We talked about the tactics and mindset needed to get it done. Newcastle were very direct in the second half and for us it was about bending but not breaking.
Eddie Howe was looking for his team to win for the seventh straight game, but they fell short
Of Meslier, he added: ‘That’s probably his best performance since I’ve been here. We are seeing a goalkeeper who is growing before our eyes.
Newcastle definitely got the better of a spirited contest, but it said a lot that most of their chances came from set pieces, as Howe alluded to.
Two Kieran Trippier corners could have scored in the first half hour, first when Fabian Schar headed wide and then when Dan Burn struck the fresh air as the ball bounced around the six-yard box.
Trippier’s free-kick then presented Sven Botman with a chance, but Meslier parried his strike from close range.
It was the same story after halftime. Trippier’s free-kick was headed in by Burn and Chris Wood, with only Meslier to beat, pushed straight past the keeper. It was both a good save and a bad miss and, for Wood, he nearly captured a disappointing outing against his old club.
Jesse Marsch celebrated after the final whistle as his team held on for a tie.
He was substituted for Callum Wilson on 64 minutes and the striker’s arrival, along with Allan Saint-Maximin, further raised Newcastle’s pace.
They couldn’t be blamed for the desire and intent. Schar was then denied by Meslier, the defender’s header from a Trippier corner blocked by the keeper’s shin on the goal line.
Longstaff then failed to test Meslier with his two wonderful chances. Even if he had found the target, the Frenchman would probably have kept them away, so inspired was he here. For Newcastle, such was the inspiration they lacked.