Leeds v Newcastle: Player Ratings
BBC Sport rates the players from Monday night’s Premier League clash between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road.
Leeds United:
- James Trafford: A clean sheet against his former suitors. A couple of nervy clearances early on but went on to make an important save to deny Harvey Barnes. 7
- James Justin: Teasing cross set up Leeds’ second goal. Has become a key component in this system. 7
- Nico Elvedi: Only his second Premier League start yet already looks at home at Elland Road. Solid at the back but got it all wrong at the other end after volleying wide at the back post when unmarked. 7
- Tarik Muharemovic: The club’s player of the month for August for a reason. Made it look rather comfortable at the back on Monday night. 7
- Jayden Bogle: Second goal credited to him. Did not know much about it, but has found his shooting boots after his goal at Brighton last time out in the league. Twice forced Lukas Hornicek into big saves before second goal took final touch off him. A real threat. 8
- Anton Stach: Won a corner inside 32 seconds. That set the tone for Leeds’ relentless display, even if he later wasted chance to score. 7
- Ethan Ampadu: Ensured Leeds kept pushing for more as he barked instructions. Saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin inadvertently block a vicious goalbound effort. 7
- Ao Tanaka: His goal took two heavy deflections but had the confidence to take the shot. Looking back to his best in recent weeks even if he was relieved to see one misplaced pass unpunished. 7
- Gabriel Gudmundsson: Caused Newcastle real problems with his runs down the left. Looked more a winger than a wing-back. 7
- Noah Okafor: Fine strike for Leeds’ fourth, having also coolly pulled the ball back for Tanaka to let fly for his side’s opener. 8
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Just loves this fixture. A trademark header came off Bogle for Leeds’ second and then showed other side of his game to finish calmly on the floor for the hosts’ third. Has scored eight goals against Newcastle – more than any other side. 9
Subs:
- Melvin Bard (on 72, Gudmundsson): Perfect environment to make his Premier League debut. 6
- Brenden Aaronson (on 72, Tanaka): Lots of energy. 6
- Harry Wilson (on 72, Okafor): Eager to impress. 6
- Lukas Nmecha (on 78, Calvert-Lewin): 6
- Daniel James (on 83, Bogle)
- Sean Longstaff (on 88, Stach)
Newcastle United:
- Lukas Hornicek: This would have been even uglier for the visitors were it not for Hornicek making fine saves to twice deny Bogle and also to foil Calvert-Lewin. 6
- Amar Dedic: Shook off hamstring issue to start, but a tough night as Leeds repeatedly targeted his flank. 4
- Malick Thiaw: Captain for the night but this was far…
