Newcastle United 4–3 Leeds United: Match Report & Reaction

Kevin Keegan, manager of the Newcastle United team dubbed the Entertainers, would - in his immortal words - have "loved it, just loved it" to see this current Newcastle side involved in a seven goal thriller. Especially as, for once, Newcastle were the victors.

This was a game that both sides came into full of confidence. Newcastle on the back of two consecutive Premier League wins and Leeds unbeaten in their last seven games.

Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference.

The match was predicted to be a full blooded and physical battle set against a tactical background of two formation systems - Newcastle in a 4-3-3 and Leeds in their recently adopted 3-5-2.

Midfield was where battles would be won and lost and predictions from pundits and most fans of both sides was that this would be a hard fought and tight game.

Match Summary

From the kick off the atmosphere in St James' Park was electric. Leeds were backed by over 3,000 raucous fans who packed most of the top tier of the Sir John Hall Stand.

Little did both sets of fan know that they were about to witness an epic match that will live long in the memory. Three times Leeds went ahead, and three times Newcastle came back to equalise.

This was a game that literally made history with Newcastle's Harvey Barnes scoring the latest winning goal of all time in the Premier League.

From kick off to final whistle this was a game that chewed at the emotions of fans, with both Leeds and Newcastle supporters experiencing highs and lows as seven goals were shared in a thrilling game.

Goals & Key Moments

It was Leeds who immediately went on the offensive flooding the Newcastle half and pressing high up the pitch.

Their tactics were clear; dropping to five at the back as soon Newcastle gained possession and attacked, and switching quickly to five in midfield when possession was regained.

The organisation, discipline and slick passing from Leeds in the early stages of the game made it difficult for Newcastle to dictate play.

This meant that it was the away side who were imposing their game plan and it was no surprise when they went ahead. A slip from Makik Thiaw gifted possession to Calvert-Lewin who fed Aaronson and the winger fired a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Whether by fortune or design, the goal forced Newcastle to start bypassing the crowded midfield area by playing long balls out to wide areas. This is where Leeds formation of three at the back could be exposed, and so it proved.

The pendulum of the game swung into Newcastle's favour and Harvey Barnes got a deserved equaliser after a clever lay off from Nick Woltemade.

It looked like Newcastle would go on to get the second goal but it was Leeds who went ahead. Malik Thiaw gave away a penalty and Calvert-Lewin made no mistake from the spot. Thiaw had also been booked and Eddie Howe decided it just wasn't the defender's day and he was replaced by Sven Botman for the second half.

Sabdro Tonali was also subbed at half time and replaced by Tino Livramento who took up the right back position. Lewis Miley went into midfield and immediately started to impose himself on the game.

Newcastle continued to dominate and from a sublime Bruno cross with the outside of his foot Joelinton glanced a header beyond Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri to put the match back to 2-2 and all square.

The noise and atmosphere created by both sets of supporters was at fever pitch, everyone in the ground sensed that there was plenty more drama to come in this game and that it could be an epic. But, no one could have sensed the level of drama awaiting.

For the third time in the game Leeds went ahead, against the run of play, when a mix up between Wissa and Ramsey allowed Aaronson to break clear on goal and his finish was as deadly as his first half goal. 79 minutes on the clock and 3-2 to Leeds.

The Newcastle team and crowd were shell shocked. The third consecutive win that would propel the Magpies up the table looked beyond reach. The best Newcastle fans could hope for was a draw. Leeds fans, confident of a victory, were in full voice.

Just before the Leeds goal Fabian Schär was stretchered off and taken to hospital with what appears to be a bad injury - with defensive cover already affected by injuries Eddie Howe may be forced into the January transfer market.

Yoanne Wissa was on for Woltemade and Gordon made way for Jacob Murpjy as Eddie Howe tried to find a formula that would get Newcastle an equaliser.

But, it was Leeds two goal man Aaronson who became Newcastle's saviour when he handled the ball - leaving Bruno Guimarães to send the home fans wild as he calmly converted the penalty to make it three all. 101 minutes on the clock.

Nine minutes of stoppage time remained and Newcastle surged forward launching wave after wave of attacks on the Leeds goal.

For the first time in the game Leeds lost discipline and shape and with gaps and opportunities appearing it was Newcastle who were now in total control.

Newcastle fans old enough to have witnessed the two agonising 4-3 defeats to Liverpool could barely believe it when, in the last minute of stoppage time, Harvey Barnes swivelled on a ball in a packed penalty area to score the latest winning goal in Premier League history. 4-3 to Newcastle. 112 minutes on the clock

Match Verdict & Standout Players

This was a game that pundits and most fans of both teams expected to be a hotly contested physical and tactical battle and a tight match with few goals.

Our Newcastle United vs Leeds United preview.

A hotly contested physical and tactical battle? Definitely.

A tight match with few goals. Definitely not!

Newcastle came into the game knowing a win could lift them into the top six of the Premier League, and a win for Leeds would put the Yorkshire club eleven points clear of a relegation place.

Both teams had plenty to play for and both contributed to an epic game that will literally go down in history - at least until a later winning goal is scored.

For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and two goal Brenden Aaronson were the standout players.

For Newcastle, Harvey Barnes was outstanding and his two goals were those of a player who has supreme confidence when presented with scoring chances. Newcastle's leading scorer this season and a player at the top of his form.

Lewis Miley showed yet again that he is a young player who is rapidly becoming an integral part of Newcastle's best eleven. Miley had to take up three different positions in the game, something difficult for a seasoned professional never mind a 19 year old.

Praise also goes to Eddie Howe. Often criticised for making substitutions too late he took Thiaw and Tonali off at half time - and he chose the right period in the game to bring on Wissa, Ramsey and Murphy. That fresh energy helped to maintain a high tempo.

Newcastle made it three successive wins and are now 6th in the Premier League and right back into the mix to qualify again for the Champions League.

The Magpie's season is now fully back on track and next up it's home games in the FA Cup and the first leg Semi Final of the Carabou Cup.

If Newcastle maintain this winning form for the rest of the month any fans on Dry January will have to keep a celebratory drink under lock and key.

Keven Keegan: Our best wishes go out to Kevin Keegan and his family after the devastating news that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

As a player and manager 'King Kev' was the inspiration behind a glorious period in Newcastle's history after the club and fans had endured years of dark days including relegation and obscurity in the old Second Division.

From taking over a club threatened with relegation to the Third Division he took us to promotion to the Premier League and into the Champions League with a thrilling brand of attacking football.

Newcastle United were nicknamed 'The Entertainers' but Kevin Keegan as a player and manager also entertained Newcastle fans like no one else before or after him.

A true legend of the club who will never ever be forgotten.

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