Leeds United v Newcastle United: YEP Jury verdicts

STEPHEN CLARK

It will take a very special team to stop Newcastle United going up as champions from the EFL this season, and unfortunately at this moment in time, Leeds United are not good enough to compete with them at the very top of the table.

However this defeat is no reason to panic, in fact if ever there was a game to take the positives from, then this was it. Despite Newcastle being the superior side, Leeds matched them for long periods of the game. But the Magpies capitalised on one huge mistake and produced one piece of incisive football to score the two goals which separates the sides.

Rob Green may have given the back four a calming presence, but his propensity to commit horrible errors undermined the Whites, spilling a high looping ball to allow Dwight Gayle to bundle in the opener. It was probably the least Newcastle deserved after an opening period where they harried and hastled a Leeds side that were not allowed to settle into the game.

However, after going behind Leeds were the better side, looking dangerous and desperately unlucky not to level matters before half time.

In the second half, Leeds did most of the pressing but Newcastle were generally comfortable and once the second goal went in they were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

As a fan, I’m not disappointed by the result or the performance. What I was happy with is that we were in the game for the entire 90 minutes and looked like a side that deserves to be in the promotion mix. The points dropped today won’t mean much in the end of season mix. The performance shows me that we are more than capable of lasting the course.

Man of the Match: Eunan O’Kane

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DAVID WATKINS

It was disappointing to get nothing from this game, but it was even more disappointing it was a goalkeeping howler that handed the initiative to Newcastle just when it looked like we had established ourselves in it. As Garry Monk said post-match, that mistake changed the dynamic of the game. Newcastle had one sublime move in 90 minutes that sealed the points but other than that we pretty much held our own with a top quality side. If some of the big moments had gone for and not against us that too would have probably got us a point which is what most of us thought would be the outcome. There is no need for too much of a re-think after this result.

The fact we sorely missed the invention of Pablo Hernandez is more of a worry in the light of Monk’s comments that he may be out for a while yet. We also now go to Rotherham without Pontus Jansson and the lack of strength in depth in the squad may yet prove a hindrance. Having seen the best, the Millers may well be the worst so it is vital we get a result there to ensure we don’t now undo the good work of the last two months.

Man of the Match: Luke Ayling

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MICHAEL GILL

Newcastle are the best team Leeds have faced this season and yet before and after the first goal, there was little between the sides.

By the time Newcastle scored the second it was pretty well all over.

The old spectre of not being able to put the ball in the net returned and try as Leeds might, there seemed to be an inevitability about the result.

Now they have to pick themselves up and return to winning ways at Rotherham,

Man of the Match Luke Ayling

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GARY NEWBOULD

United slipped to a first home defeat in over two months as a Dwight Gayle goal either side of half time saw the visitors win 2-0.

The “moneybags Magpies” seem destined to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and were worthy winners, however their clear Premier League “nous” was fully appreciated by referee Graham Scott who had a very poor game.

At least United, who were without the injured Pablo Hernandez never gave up and had a great spell before half time but failed to get the breakthrough that would have made the second half far more interesting.

Man of the match: Luke Ayling.

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MATTHEW EVANS

This was one to put down to experience and move on from as quickly as possible. Newcastle never really broke stride and really didn’t need to after they were gifted the opening goal through a lack of awareness from Rob Green.

The officiating was very poor and, on another day, Leeds could have pulled something out of this fixture. It was strange to see Elland Road full yet subdued, live on TV, on a Sunday lunchtime and the points just easily slipping away from us. It felt like the 2000s all over again.

How many points we take against Newcastle won’t define our season but whether we can beat the likes of Rotherham certainly will. Normal service next weekend please.

Man of the match: Luke Ayling