Newcastle United tactical analysis: Major talking points and key moments from Leeds United draw

One point gained or two dropped? Newcastle United again failed to claim all three points at St James’ Park against Leeds United - here’s the story of the game.
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Key moments - goals, VAR, misses & more

🟨 YELLOW - Ritchie (8)

⚽ GOAL - Raphinha (13)

🟨 YELLOW - Almiron (38)

⚽ GOAL - Allan Saint-Maximin (44)

📺 VAR CHECK - Check for Joelinton and Kalvin Phillips altercation. Nothing given (45)

HT - Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 1

🟨 YELLOW - Rodrigo (57)

🔄 SUB NUFC - Almiron OFF, Fraser ON (62).

🔄 SUB NUFC - Manquillo OFF, Krafth ON (81).

🔄 SUB NUFC - Joelinton OFF, Murphy ON (90).

FT - Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 1

Att: 50,407

Tale of the first half

Chaos. Absolute chaos at both ends. Chances galore. No defensive discipline and a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Leeds had the better opportunities and opened the scoring, while United hit the post and equalised late on.

The second half story

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Less chaotic than the first 45, but still plenty of chances for both sides to win it. United dominated for periods but ran out of steam from the 70-minute (ish) mark onwards.

Team selection - did Steve Bruce get it right?

Just the one change from the Old Trafford defeat for Newcastle United with Freddie Woodman swapped for Karl Darlow between the sticks. Bruce said Woodman was injured in training in the run up to the encounter.

A tactical change from 5-3-2 to 4-3-3 after half an hour proves Bruce got this one wrong initially. Isaac Hayden switched into the centre of midfield, having started on the right of the back three.

So, in short, it does make you wonder what Bruce was working on this week (his words, not mine) as the plan went out the window midway through the first half. The Magpies were better after that, with 4-3-2-1 (or 4-3-3) suiting them much better.

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Tactical analysis - what went wrong? And what went right, if anything?

Leeds looked to open up United in the wide areas, as every team who has played them in the Premier League hads done so far this campaign. And it paid early dividends as Javier Manquillo and Isaac Hayden continued their awkward marriage down the right and Matt Ritchie struggled to cope down the left.

The goal itself came from that side, but was a cross which ghosted through bodies from deep and into the back of Darlow’s net.

The change to four at the back didn’t really stop the Leeds flow on the break, as they continued to open up United at will, however, it did allow them more of an attacking foothold in the game with Joelinton, Ritchie and Allan Saint-Maximin finding lots of joy on the left flank.

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And it was from that area United’s leveller originated as Joelinton was found in space, squared for the jinking ASM, who slotted home after one or two drops and feints.

After the break, United were on top, pressing Leeds high and winning the ball in dangerous areas. They couldn’t capitalise on that dominance, though. Despite having loads of ball, the opportunities did not flow like in the opening 45. That was the case at either end, to be honest, with things tightening up, ever so slightly.

United began to tire quite badly as the game wore on, with the last 20 minutes seemingly a real struggle for the likes of Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles.

Lessons learned for Steve Bruce?

* Has the penny finally dropped on the 5-3-2 formation? Let’s hope so. United looked better when switching to a four at the back.

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* Karl Darlow was more of a calming presence in goal. Plain and simple.

* Isaac Hayden, at present, is a midfielder, not a defender.

*Is it time for Miguel Almiron to drop out of the team?

*Sean Longstaff impressed as the more advanced player in the midfield three, showing his versatility.

Star ratings

⭐⭐⭐ - Allan Saint-Maximin

⭐⭐ - Sean Longstaff

⭐ - Joelinton