This was Leeds’ first game for 10 days as they didn’t play last midweek, and they had the weekend off, so would that help Leeds out the fact they’ve had more rest?
They were up against a Newcastle team in bad form, manager under pressure, not scoring goals, although Leeds haven’t scored in 1st 3 games of 2021 either, something had to give.
It was played at St James Park
Reference for picture:Â https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos
After 6 minutes, Shelvey pounced on a loose ball about 30 yards out from goal and fancied his chances, but dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Six minutes later, there was a lovely one touch move down the right from Leeds which ended with Bamford floating an inviting cross out to Harrison, who lined up a volley from 18 yards out but he got it all wrong.
First goal of the game
After 17 minutes Leeds stole it just inside Newcastle half and found themselves with a 4 on 2 , Bamford looked to have sent Rodrigo too wide, but he did superbly well to pick Raphinha out in the middle and he slotted into the bottom corner, for Leeds’ first goal of 2021.
Three minutes later, Shelvey did a inswinging corner and Lascelles got his head to it, but he only guided it wide of the targer.
Just after the half hour, Shelvey took a Newcastle freekick and he blazed it well over the bar.
A couple of minutes later, Fraser cut inside onto his right foot and whipped in a dangerous ball towards the back post, waiting for ine of his team-mates to get a touch on it, it dropped just wide of the far post, and came to nothing.
After 38 minutes, Fraser latched onto a speculative ball across the top of the penalty area, but smashed his effort well over the bar.
After 44 minutes Leeds broke from a Newcastle corner and Raphinha rattled the near post from a narrow angle, then Ayling lifted a ball into Rodrigo but his effort missed the target.
In the 1st minute of first half stoppage time, Bamford flicked a header wide from a freekick.
In the 5th minute of stoppage time Dallas got down the right, drove into the box and clipped a ball across the goal, but no-one there for Leeds.
Halftime score:Â Newcastle United 0-1 Leeds United
So a first half in which Leeds played fairly well, scored their first goal of 2021, but Newcastle had a couple of chances as well, what would this 2nd half bring?
Controversial moment
After 48 minutes Leeds went storming forward, Dallas had a shot blocked, the ball rebounded back off him and up onto the bar, and over the line, but the referee blew for a handball against Dallas.
Four minutes later, Shelvey floated a corner into the Leeds box but it was hoofed high into the night sky, Almiron gathered on the edge of the box, he wriggled free and fired on target but saved.
Newcastle equaliser
After 57 minutes, Newcastle pinched it off Leeds in a dangerous area, Shelvey found Wilson who played it 1st time into the path of Almiron who squeezed an effort beneath Meslier, for Newcastle’s first goal in ages.
Second  Leeds goal
Just after the hour mark, Newcastle were left open and Raphinha picked Harrison in the box, who had time to take a touch and fired into the far corner on the bounce and Leeds were back in front.
Two minutes later, Shelvey bundled his way into the Leeds area, but his pass was just behind Wilson, Almiron laid it off to Murphy who fired over from outside the box.
With 25 minutes left, Saint-Maximin drover forward and fed Lewis on the edge of the area, but his effort flied just over.
Three minutes later, Lascelles clipped the crossbar with a header from Shelvey’s corner.
After 72 minutes, Shelvey had a pop from a freekick but it deflected off the Leeds wall and ran behind for a corner.
A minute later, Saint-Maximin cut in from his left and hit a right footed effort towards goal, but it was blocked.
With 15 minutes to go, Wilson won a corner after more good work from Saint-Maximin , Fraser’s corner went right onto Shelvey’s head but Meslier reacted quickly to keep it out.
With ten minutes remaining, Wilson almost got a leg to a hopeful log ball by Lascelles after eluding Cooper but the ball ran to safety.
Two minutes later, Schar made a marauding run into the box and it took a diving save from Meslier away to his left, Gayle had a go with a freekick from the edge of the area, but whipped it comfortably wide.
In stoppage time at the end of the match, Another swift Leeds attack ended with Klich’s shot at goal, Lascelles blocked it for another corner, Leeds wanted a penalty but Lascelles’ hands were tucked in by his body, the corner came in and Schar’s head that the ball struck , it bounced off Gayle’s shoulder and into the hands of Darlow.
Fulltime score: Newcastle United 1-2 Leeds United
So an excellent win for Leeds United away at Newcastle and two superb goals as well for Leeds, for their 1st win and goals of 2021.
Leeds remain in 12th on 26 points, 14 clear of the bottom three.
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdCgCjaIruM
Next for Leeds is a tricky away trip to Leicester City on Sunday 31st January 2021
