Leeds United fans would have been nervous as they made their way to the Elland Road terraces with Newcastle United coming to town, especially after Newcastle’s display against Liverpool on Monday.
However, Leeds came up against a Newcastle lacking Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Joelinton. It was not a fluent Newcastle, a side that qualified for the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup.
Yet, Leeds came into the game without key midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka, while Noah Okafor was only good for the bench. A 5-0 defeat at Arsenal was followed by a cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday.
However, the added weapon of Elland Road proved a factor once again as Leeds nullified Newcastle and made it an ugly affair, aggressive and on the front foot. The game ended 0-0, a solid point for Leeds.
Harry Kewell while in charge of Yokohama F. Marinos.
Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images
Harry Kewell heaps praise on Leeds midfielder Sean Longstaff
Not only did Sean Longstaff make his first Premier League start for Leeds, but his first Leeds start at Elland Road and it came against his boyhood side, the club he only left a few weeks ago for a fee worth £15m.
Longstaff was everywhere, and was awarded the man of the match award for his performance. Speaking on Premier League TV, controversial former Leeds man Harry Kewell was full of praise for the midfielder.
Sean Longstaff in action for Leeds United against Newcastle United.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Kewell said: “He’s a professional player, Newcastle will have been close to his heart. There will have been a lot of emotion. But he will have moved on and enjoyed that. I’m glad he picked up the man of the match.
“It wasn’t a good game, he did the right things in the right area by winning those balls. That’s what Leeds need. They need experience. Hopefully, he can continue this and push himself into the starting XI.”
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Sean Longstaff’s stats for Leeds United in draw v Newcastle
According to the stats, Longstaff was actually Leeds’ third-best player behind Lucas Perri and Jayden Bogle, though Perri’s rating will have been boosted by his second clean sheet in three top-flight games.
What will have delighted Daniel Farke, is that without Ampadu and Tanaka, Longstaff produced his best performance since joining Leeds just at the right time. Aggressive, determined, showing his experience.
Sean Longstaff’s stats for Leeds in Newcastle draw:
90 minutes played, 7.4 FotMob rating (Leeds’ third-best)
52 touches, 30/35 successful passes (86%)
13 defensive contributions (most on pitch, second-best just nine)
4/5 tackles won, two interceptions, six recoveries
Eight duels won (most on pitch), four lost
It will be interesting to see who starts in the middle of the park when Farke welcomes back Ampadu after the break and then Tanaka, but on this showing, Longstaff might well be the pick of his midfield options.