Newcastle 1-2 Leeds: Player ratings as visitors heap pressure on Steve Bruce

26 January 2021 23:22

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds ran out 2-1 winners over Newcastle at St. James' Park on Tuesday evening, securing their first ever Premier League double over the Magpies and condemning Steve Bruce's side to their sixth consecutive defeat.

The early exchanges were cagey but it was Leeds who grew into the game quicker than their hosts. A good break away move led by Patrick Bamford ended in Raphinha calmly slotting home from a Rodrigo pull-back to open the scoring.

Rodrigo and Raphinha both came close to adding to the lead on the brink of half-time but couldn't extend the 1-0 scoreline.

The second period was much more frantic as the game opened up completely. The hosts came out seemingly invigorated and the Magpies found an equaliser as Miguel Almiron just about finished past Illan Meslier after a sweeping team move. However, their visitors found an instant response as Raphina picked out an unmarked Jack Harrison in the box, who finished sublimely to restore Leeds' advantage.

Newcastle responded well, though, and went on to hit the top of the bar twice in two minutes before Jonjo Shelvey missed the opportunity to draw them level, as he put a free header down the throat of Meslier. That turned out to be the home side's last big chance as Leeds held on to get all three points.

Now, on to some player ratings.

Newcastle

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

A good performance by Lascelles, despite losing the match | Pool/Getty Images

Karl Darlow (GK) - 5/10 - Couldn't do all that much about the goals, and other than that made a couple of solid saves to deny Leeds.

Isaac Hayden (CB) - 6/10 - Looked solid enough and coped well defending Luke Ayling's long diagonal, winning five aerial duels at right-back. Made a crucial tackle in the buildup to his side's equaliser.

Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - 6/10 - Solid defensive performance, making five clearances and two tackles. Also brought the ball out of defence well at times.

Fabian Schar (CB) - 7/10 - In the end his highlight was a fantastic forward dribble resulting in a great effort on goal. But also did well defensively, making three interceptions at crucial times.

2. Midfielders & wing-backs

Jacob Murphy (RWB) - 5/10 - Looked much brighter after being pushed up to right midfield, supplying a few good crosses, but was at fault for Leeds' second after leaving Harrison unmarked.

Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - 6/10 - Came to life after an hour and provided quality in and around the area. Was unlucky not to grab an assist as Pascal Struijk cut out a pull-back, but should've made it 2-2 from a corner with 15 to go.

Jeff Hendrick (CM) - 7/10 - Went under the radar in the Toon's midfield, but did make a couple of crucial recoveries, and at times used the ball very well.

Miguel Almiron (CM) - 7/10 - Couldn't get into the game early on after Leeds' engine room crowded him out but was influential after the break. Capped off a good team move to equalise and was central to Newcastle's attacking play.

Jamal Lewis (LWB) - 4/10 - Very quiet from left-back, failing to deliver quality into the box as well as missing a gilt-edged chance at 2-1.

3. Forwards

Callum Wilson laying the ball to Miguel Almiron | Stu Forster/Getty Images

Ryan Fraser (CF) - 6/10 - Had a much greater impact when shifted out to the left. The Scotsman put in a few quality balls but couldn't quite make the difference.

Callum Wilson (ST) - 6/10 -Had very little service in a team that largely don't look forward when passing the ball, but did manage to grab an assist for Almiron with a deft lay off.

4. Substitutes

Allan Saint Maximin (LM) - 7/10 - Made an instant impact after his introduction, marauding forward with ease. Should have bagged an assist after teeing up Lewis brilliantly.

Dwight Gayle (ST) - 5/10

Leeds

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Illan Meslier (GK) - 7/10 - Very good outing for the young Frenchman on his return from his injury. Showed composure and agility between the sticks, and very nearly kept Almiron's close-range effort out.

Luke Ayling (RB) - 6/10 - Brilliant energy in the first 45, getting the ball forward efficiently. Also demonstrated a great range of passing, completing four crossfield diagonals to the opposite wing.

Liam Cooper (CB) - 7/10 - No-nonsense showing form the captain. Won the ball back five times and made six clearances throughout.

Diego Llorente (CB) - N/A - Forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury after just ten minutes.

Ezgjan Alioski (LB) - 5/10 - An unusually quiet evening for the Macedonian as most good things came down Leeds' right, failing to make a single cross before coming off.

6. Midfielders

Kalvin Phillips (DM) - 7/10 - Showed how important he is to Bielsa's side on his return from suspension. Was everywhere, distributing the ball efficiently, while also screening his back four with six recoveries.

Stuart Dallas (CM) - 6/10 - Showed great dynamism in central midfield. Got up and down the pitch very well while also using the ball well, making one key pass from the centre of the field.

Rodrigo (AM) - 8/10 - Very bright performance and looked hungry from the outset. The Spaniard constantly pressed and put in challenges as well as always finding a forward pass, and capped off a great outing with a cool assist for the opener.

7. Forwards

Raphinha (RW) - 9/10 - Finished neatly to notch the opener in the first half, and got a lovely assist for the second on the hour mark. Was easily man of the match.

Patrick Bamford (ST) - 5/10 - A few misplaced touches and a disappointing headed miss in the first half were all Bamford managed before being brought off after an hour.

Jack Harrison (LW) - 7/10 - Fairly uneventful showing from the winger, until he finished beautifully on the half volley to get the winner just after the hour mark.

8. Substitutes

Pascal Struijk (CB) - 6/10 - Came on and filled in well for Llorente, making seven clearance in total as well as three interceptions.

Mateusz Klich (CM) - 6/10

Tyler Roberts (ST) - 6/10

Source: 90min