Leeds 2-2 Newcastle: Top-four battle goes to the wire as sloppy Toon pick up a point
A frustrating end to a topsy turvy game at Elland Road, where Leeds equalised to deny Newcastle what would've been a massive win.
After conceding early and Nick Pope's penalty save keeping it at 1-0, two Callum Wilson penalties either side of the break sent us 2-1 up, but a deflected effort from Rasmus Kristensen handed Big Sam's Leeds a precious point.
The point could be a precious one, despite the post-match disappointment. Win two of our last three games and a top-four finish will be ours. However, we'll have to play much better than that to see off Brighton next Thursday. The game was there for us to win, but we couldn't see it out, conceded two cheap goals and failed to hurt a fragile Leeds defence.
The result means Liverpool will move one point behind us should they win at Leicester on Monday, while Man Utd would join us on 66 points if they see off Wolves in today's 3pm kick-off.
Howe stuck by most of the side that lost last weekend, with the only change seeing Miguel Almiron replace Jacob Murphy down our right.
The first half featured a rollercoaster of emotions. We started pretty well with plenty of possession, then disaster struck; an early goal for Leeds which lifted the roof of Elland Road. It was poor defending all round. Trippier didn't do enough to stop the cross, Burn switched off for Rodrigo's header and Pope parried his effort into the perfect place for Ayling, who tapped in from close range.
Almiron was offering so little, our front three looked disjointed, Bruno's passing range was way off his brilliant best and Burn looked all at sea. The first goal was always going to be huge and our response to it was weak, as we rarely threatened aside from two tame efforts from Wilson and Miggy. Leeds kept throwing away possession but we rarely capitalised.
A bad start almost got worse as a clumsy foul from Joelinton brought Junior Firpo down in the box. A stone wall penalty and chance for Leeds to make it two. Thankfully, Bamford's penalty was poor and Pope pulled off what felt like one of the biggest saves of our season. A huge let off and a second chance at a game that threatened to get away from us.
Just two minutes later, it was our turn to be handed a spot kick, as Wober brought down Isak. Wilson stepped up and made no mistake, firing into the bottom corner to draw us level. A crazy few minutes. Suddenly the momentum was with us in a game we threatened to throw away. We had to be better in the second half, but that late swing felt massive, handing us all of the momentum and deflating a previously bouncing home crowd.
Willock had drifted out to the left and Isak was adopting more of a free role behind Wilson. This added an air of unpredictability to our attacks, giving Almiron support down the right - where Isak would often drift - and Willock a chance to run at Ayling.
Leeds weren't lying down or shutting shop to protect their point just yet, but The game was so scrappy, with neither side able to assert their dominance on the game. Bruno went into the book for a dive but was on the end of a dangerous challenge moments later from Junior Firpo; who was only booked despite a VAR check.
VAR was involved again moments later, as Firpo's crazy handball was caught by the video officials from Willock's cross. Isak was convinced the replays were damning. Another penalty given - the THIRD of the game - and our ice cool No 9 did not disappointing, firing high into the net past Robles to make it 2-1 with his 17th goal of the season!
Brilliant celebrations followed in the South Yorkshire sunshine, but we weren't ahead long. Soon after a double change that saw Saint-Maximin and Gordon replace Almiron and Wilson, a deflected effort from Kristensen flew past Pope after we failed to clear a Leeds corner.
A big slice of luck after Trippier's touch left Pope wrong footed, but another bad goal to concede and such a poor reaction to taking the lead. 2-2.
10 minutes remained and it suddenly felt like we were holding on. We looked rattled and were giving away silly free-kicks; one of which almost allowed Bamford to head in from a wicked delivery.
Elliot Anderson came on for the final five minutes, replacing Willock on the left side of our midfield three and immediately told Saint-Maximin to 'follow his man' when Leeds get forward. A chance to win it in added time then came as Gordon was brought down - resulting in a second yellow for Firpo - but Trippier's free-kick struck the wall and Leeds saw out a draw.
Two more wins needed. Three games to go. HWTL.
STARTING XI: Pope - Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn - Joelinton, Guimaraes, Willock - Almiron, Wilson, Isak.
SUBS: Dubravka, Dummett, Gordon, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Murphy, Anderson.
