Leeds United 5-2 Newcastle United - a good day for Pablo Hernandez, a bad one for expensive signing and a VAR turning point

The Brazilian winger popped up everywhere in the first half against Newcastle and got on the end of a number of attacks but was unable to find the net. It was still a terrific performance from the winger, albeit with a quiet spell after the break, who played a full part in one of the late counter attacks that finished Newcastle off. He is quickly becoming one of the Premier League bargain buys of the summer. Yet it is not the £17m man who features in our good day segment.

Good day

Pablo Hernandez

Eight minutes, two assists and one timely reminder that the magician still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. The whispers began not long after his display of frustration at being substituted against Leicester City. His apology on social media did not prevent him from being dropped by Bielsa and then, when apparently recovered from a knock, left out again for the trip to Chelsea. He returned to the squad, at least, against West Ham but was not one of Bielsa's replacements during a game they lost 2-1. Suspicions that the man whose late season cameos inspired Leeds to the promotion they deserved last season had fallen from favour this season sparked baseless rumours of rifts and concern over the way it would all end for Hernandez. That can and should be put to rest now, thanks to his contribution against Newcastle. He raced up in support of the lightning quick Raphina and rolled the ball across the area for Gjanni Alioski to score, then picked up the ball and played it perfectly to Jack Harrison who had a lot left to do but did it superbly. Hernandez back with a bang and an encore. There were others who sparkled, like the aforementioned Raphinha and fellow new boy Rodrigo, but it will reassure many, many Whites to see the little Spaniard involved once again to such good effect.

Bad day

Joelinton

Joelinton cost £40m or thereabouts and was given very little change by a pair of Leeds United's EFL bargains in Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling. It was not a good performance and not what Steve Bruce needed from the man Newcastle looked to for attacking link up play. They struggled to make an impact in open play as Joelinton was dispossessed three times and lost control twice more. Everyone is allowed an off day but for Newcastle to gain any kind of control in this game in the final third they needed more from their expensive star. If they had any joy it was largely down to sloppy passing from Leeds and the trickery of Ryan Fraser. Wednesday was a bad day for Bruce, too. He bemoaned defending that, in his words, belonged on a park on a Sunday, and had a go at VAR too for missing what he felt was a blatant penalty.

Number of the day

114

Marcelo Bielsa has now managed Leeds United more times than any other club or national team in his long and storied career. His brand of football has helped reinvigorate a club and a fanbase for whom mediocrity had become alarmingly normal. This win, the manner in which it came and the scoreline were all fitting, in his record-breaking game. So often Leeds have been rightly accused of being wasteful and wrongly accused of burning out. In this game they sprinted clear of both accusations with top level finishing late on and energy to burn right to the final whistle.

Turning point

Where VAR you?

When Liam Cooper challenged Callum Wilson in the box and appeared to clip the striker's ankle, a penalty looked likely, at worst, for Leeds United. The VAR check graphic never appeared on the Elland Road big screen but there was a short delay that presumably allowed the incident to be replayed but the game soon got underway again with no finger pointed to the penalty spot. It was a let off for Leeds who were soon 3-2 up and in the ascendancy. Their dominance, not just in possession but in territory and chance creation, deserved victory so it would have been an injustice had Newcastle got anything from the game, but Bruce was quite reasonably angered by the lack of decision from the video assistant referee. And if anyone can explain what is a handball these days, I'm all ears. We all are.