adminNewcastle United suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night as Matthias Jaissle’s unbeaten start to life in the Premier League came to a brutal end.
The Magpies arrived at Elland Road unbeaten in their opening three Premier League matches, but they were completely outplayed by a Leeds side that dominated the contest physically and created a numerical advantage in the engine room.
First-half goals from Ao Tanaka, Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the hosts in a commanding position at the break before Noah Okafor made it 4-0 before the hour mark.
Newcastle substitute Bazoumana Toure pulled back a late consolation from close range with his first Premier League goal and second in all competitions, but it was little more than a consolation on a miserable night for the visitors.
The defeat represents a major reality check for Jaissle after Newcastle had made an encouraging start to the season.
There had been warning signs in some of Newcastle’s performances despite the positive results, and those weaknesses were finally exposed at Elland Road.
The Magpies struggled to cope with Leeds’ physicality, intensity and movement, particularly in midfield. The home side repeatedly found space and numbers in the middle of the pitch, leaving Newcastle struggling to establish control.
It was a particularly difficult evening for a young Newcastle side.
When Nico Gonzalez was forced off injured after just 19 minutes, Newcastle’s average age dropped to 24.3. Leeds, by contrast, have the oldest average-aged squad in the division at 26.7.
That difference appeared to matter as the match developed.
Leeds looked stronger and more aggressive in the important battles, while Newcastle struggled to match their intensity. The Magpies were repeatedly forced backwards and found it difficult to build attacks through the middle.
The tactical approach also came under scrutiny.
Newcastle had previously used a midfield two against Liverpool, with Wissa operating in the number 10 role. Although that setup appeared vulnerable to being overpowered before the match, Newcastle managed to cope on that occasion.
However, Elland Road presented a completely different challenge.
Away from home against Leeds on a Monday night, Newcastle needed physicality, runners and enough numbers in midfield to compete with the home side.
Instead, Leeds were able to dominate the engine room and repeatedly expose the Newcastle structure.
Even a midfield three of Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton would have faced a difficult physical battle, but Newcastle ultimately struggled to prevent Leeds from taking control.
The visitors also relied too heavily on aimless long balls towards the lone forward, making it difficult for them to maintain possession or build meaningful attacks.
From start to finish, Leeds looked like the more determined and physically prepared team.
Newcastle’s unbeaten run was eventually smashed in emphatic fashion.
The second goal was initially credited as a Calvert-Lewin header after the forward’s effort found the net via a deflection. However, the Premier League’s Match Centre later credited Jayden Bogle with the goal because he was the last Leeds player to touch the ball.
The Premier League Match Centre posted: “34’ The goal accreditation panel has adjudged Leeds’ 34th minute goal as a Bogle goal.”
The result allowed Leeds to maintain their unbeaten Premier League start and move up to third in the table, while Newcastle were left to reflect on a night that exposed several areas for Jaissle to address.
There were also individual concerns for the Magpies.
Jacob Murphy’s inclusion in the starting XI had already generated debate, particularly after Anthony Elanga missed the game with a knock.
Murphy had been at the centre of a deadline-day debate over whether Newcastle should have accepted a reported £15million for the 31-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract.
Jaissle had previously shown faith in Murphy as an experienced and trusted member of the squad, but the winger struggled to make an impact against Leeds.
His night got off to a difficult start when he miscontrolled a simple pass, and he was unable to provide Newcastle with the attacking threat they needed as the home side took control.
Newcastle had also previously attempted to sign Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford.
Trafford eventually moved to Elland Road and had little to do for long periods of the match, but he still ended the night with a clean sheet as Leeds secured a memorable victory.
Chants of “England’s No.1” rang around the stadium during the second half as the home supporters celebrated Trafford’s performance.
For Newcastle, however, the night was about far more than the final score.
The 4-1 defeat exposed the danger of relying on results without addressing underlying weaknesses in performances.
Jaissle’s side had enjoyed a strong start, but Leeds demonstrated that Newcastle can be bullied when opponents match them physically and create a numerical advantage in midfield.
It is still a long season, and one defeat does not erase the progress made under the new manager.
However, the defeat at Elland Road is a major learning curve for Jaissle.
Newcastle will now have to respond quickly, with Hull City next up at St James’ Park on Saturday.
After being comprehensively beaten by Leeds, the Magpies will be expected to show a completely different reaction in front of their home supporters.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
admin
