Sean Longstaff paid Eddie Howe a major compliment after playing against Newcastle United for the first time.
Longstaff played for the hosts as Leeds drew 0-0 with Newcastle to leave Howe’s side without a win in the Premier League before the first international break of the season.
It was a disappointing day for Newcastle United.
There had been positives to take from their games against Aston Villa and Liverpool but the performance on Saturday at Elland Road left an awful lot to be desired.
In truth, there wasn’t an awful lot to report on. The reunion with Longstaff looks like one of the bigger stories from the game, at least in terms of what happened on the pitch.
After the game, Longstaff was full of praise for Howe.
Sean Longstaff playing for Leeds against Newcastle United.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Sean Longstaff has Eddie Howe to thank for Leeds move
The Newcastle academy graduate was speaking to Sky Sports.
He revealed that he doesn’t think he’d have got a big move to Leeds without the current Newcastle United manager.
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In total, Longstaff played 134 times under Howe before leaving for Elland Road in a deal thought to be worth around £15million.
“Really lucky to play under Eddie at Newcastle,” he said.
“Some of the best football of my career was under him. To be honest, if it wasn’t for playing in that team, I would have never got the move here.”
"If it wasn't for playing in that team, I would've never got the move here!"
Leeds United's Sean Longstaff after facing his former side in Eddie Howe's Newcastle pic.twitter.com/CyQQ0AB5E5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 30, 2025
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Sean Longstaff stats for Leeds vs Newcastle United
Longstaff was heavily involved in a midfield battle against his old teammates.
As per FotMob data, the 27-year-old made the highest number of tackles across anyone in the match (4).
Longstaff also led the game in terms of duels won (8) and also created a chance. The Leeds star made six ball recoveries and two interceptions, too.
Leeds vs Newcastle United statistics Sean Longstaff
Minutes played 90
Chances created 1
Tackles 4
Interceptions 2
Recoveries 6
Sean Longstaff stats for Leeds vs Newcastle United, data via FotMob
He certainly didn’t let his old teammates off easy, with some crunching tackles applied to Bruno Guimaraes.
By the time he left boyhood club Newcastle, it was probably right for Longstaff to go. However, he remains a capable Premier League midfielder and certainly proved that on Saturday.