Eddie Howe disagrees with Sandro Tonali after Newcastle United's draw at Leeds United
Newcastle United were held to a goalless draw at Leeds United.
Sandro Tonali felt Newcastle United were dominant against Leeds United, but his head coach, Eddie Howe took a slightly different view.
The Magpies headed into the game searching for their first win of the Premier League campaign, having drawn to Aston Villa and lost to Liverpool in their opening two games.
Leeds, meanwhile, were looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Arsenal in the league and Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
But neither team got the win they desired, drawing 0-0, as the Magpies once again felt the absence of a senior striker with new signing Nick Woltemade ineligible, wantaway Alexander Isak still on strike and Anthony Gordon suspended.
Sandro Tonali reflects on Newcastle United’s draw at Leeds United
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe switched to a back five to compensate for the loss of Joelinton in midfield, with Tonali passed fit despite sustaining a shoulder injury against Liverpool on Monday night. The Italian lined up in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Tonali said: “I'm fine. I work every day, 10 hours a day at the training ground, so I need to say thanks to the physio, staff and my wife because she was at home alone.
"This week was dificult but the team worked great. This game was difficult. If you play here it is not an easy game. We dominated the game and play very well..
"We need to improve in the last 25 metres because we need to score a goal. We deserved three points and we need to keep pushing more.
"We play against Aston Villa, Liverpool and this today. It is not an easy game. all three games we dominated. I am happy for every game. It is normal you can't win every game. We need to work a lot and keep pushing because it is the Premier League."
Eddie Howe disagrees with Sandro Tonali assessment
When Tonali’s assessment was put to Howe, the head coach said he didn’t “necessarily see it quite like that” but understood a player’s perspective can be different to watching on the sidelines,
Howe said: “No, I don't necessarily see it quite like that. I thought we had our moments in the game. I thought we defended really well. Again, I was very happy with our defensive display, but certainly with the ball and our creativity was slightly off.
“Sometimes the game always feels different when you're in it, when you're playing in it. I've had that many times as a player, to when you watch it from the sidelines. “