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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 17:19:41 GMT
Newcastle against Leeds is about as appealing as a pair of nutcrackers bearing down on yer balls but maybe both sides can show us something here in the ice, sleet and freezing conditions. Maximin is on the bench for Bruce while Leeds make three changes.
Newcastle: Darlow, Murphy, Hayden, Lascelles, Schar, Lewis, Almiron, Shelvey, Hendrick, Fraser, Wilson. Subs: Dubravka, Matthew Longstaff, Carroll, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Gayle, Krafth, Manquillo.
Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Llorente, Alioski, Phillips, Raphinha, Dallas, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford. Subs: Poveda-Ocampo, Roberts, Casilla, Helder Costa, Hernandez, Struijk, Davis, Klich, Shackleton.
Newcastle 3/1
Leeds 5/6
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 18:15:06 GMT
An early blow for Leeds as Llorente hobbles off with possible hamstring. It was a gamble starting him in the first place and now the not fully fit player is in tears as he makes way for Struijk. Not much has happened here.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 18:17:49 GMT
It's already 1-1 at West Ham - Soucek levelling after Zaha's opener for Place. That's the game. Bah.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 18:20:38 GMT
But here's a goal for Leeds. Bamford raced through the middle, fed it wide to Rodrigo who played it back into Raphinha who slotted it through a cluster of pedestrian defenders for nothing-one on '17.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 18:30:39 GMT
Leeds have all the direction here. Newcastle have none. What they need is a good Toon Army bollicking to put a rocket up their behinds. The visitors are quite enjoying this.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 18:51:06 GMT
At the break Newcastle go in not having scored a league goal for 3½ games, though they began to show some willing towards the end of the half. But Leeds look like they could handle anything the home side might throw at them in the second half. Time will tell.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 19:24:18 GMT
Newcastle have scored a goal. It's one-all on the hour. They have had the better of it in the second half with Leeds not pressing as before. Wilson invaded the away box and slipped it across to Almiron who drills it past Meslier. Steve Bruce can't believe it. Almiron sets himself up for most ridiculous goal celebration of the season by tucking the ball under his jersey and kissing the bulge. You get the idea his partner may be with child.
Anyway, shock over, it's time Leeds got back on the front foot because they've been lagging here.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 19:28:20 GMT
...aaaaaaannd four minutes later Leeds regain the lead. Raphinha looped one in to Harrison who had enough time and space to line up his finish and execute it with aplomb. No defence again and it's advantage Leeds.
Saint-Maximin is coming on for Newcastle, a great playmaker but look at who he's got to work with.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 19:33:33 GMT
We're set up for a frantic finish here if Saint-Maximin has his way. He's brought with him a rush to the game since coming on.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 19:55:56 GMT
That's Steve Bruce's 200th Premier League defeat in 450 top-flight games in charge. You'd think it was more than that. Surely a mistake by the commentator?
Three points for Leeds who kept a mini-surge from Newcastle at bay. Probably the most encouraging Toon have played in ages, and it really wasn't very much, so. Leeds move to within a point of Arsenal.
West Ham go 4th with their win over Palace.
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Post by staggerstag on Jan 26, 2021 19:59:37 GMT
Who else heard the solitary "Boo!" two seconds after the ref blew up at St James'? Who the f***?  |
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