NEWCASTLE, England (Reuters) – Newcastle United and Leeds United stretched their winless Premier League starts to five games after they fought out a 1-1 draw in an entertaining clash at St James’ Park on Friday.
The result left Newcastle 18th on two points and piled more pressure on manager Steve Bruce while Leeds are 16th on three points after they missed a string of chances in an action-packed first half.
Raphinha fired Leeds ahead in the 13th minute when his cross from the left beat Karl Darlow at the far post after Rodrigo’s clever dummy left the goalkeeper stranded while Allan Saint-Maximin levelled for the home side in the 44th.
The equaliser was a fine individual effort as the Frenchman found space on the edge of the penalty area by side-stepping three markers before he drilled a crisp low shot into the far corner.
Between the goals, Darlow pulled off a string of saves and Leeds were guilty of some wayward finishing while Matt Ritchie hit the post and visiting goalkeeper Illan Meslier kept out a Joelinton sitter at the other end.
Darlow spared Jamaal Laseclelles the blushes of scoring an own goal in the 52nd minute before Meslier twice denied Saint-Maximin as the Newcastle forward continued to be a threat in the closing stages.
(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Christian Radnedge)