Newcastle found a way to snatch a point at Elland Road in a rugged, rain-soaked 0–0 that was an absolute disaster of a match to watch if you enjoy fancy and entertaining football.
Eddie Howe’s side dominated in spells but again, unsurprisingly, lacked a cutting edge without the absent Alexander Isak and the suspended Anthony Gordon.
Subpar striker Will Osula made his first Premier League start up top but could only showcase his raw-not-quite-there-yet chops as the Magpies await the debut of their new bona fide No. 9 when domestic football returns after the international break.
The night’s most intriguing sighting was precisely that one, and sitting in the stands at Elland Road: club-record signing Nick Woltemade, the 6ft 6in German striker sealed for up to £69m from Stuttgart.
Woltemade was reasonably ineligible to play so shortly after arriving in Tyneside and traveling to Leeds, but his debut can’t surely come soon enough.
Chances were scarce throughout the game, no matter the side. Osula’s best chance was smothered by Leeds’ Gabriel Gudmundsson blocking his attempt, while Jacob Murphy twice drew saves from Brazilian goalie Lucas Perri.
At the other end, Willy Gnonto’s menacing incursions from the left were Leeds’ liveliest threat, yet Nick Pope had a largely pleasing evening as Newcastle posted a second straight away clean sheet.
Positives? Jacob Ramsey’s full debut impressed before a precautionary withdrawal at half-time, with Howe making it clear he sustained no real injury before coming off the pitch, and Tonali, who returned after an arm scare in the game against Liverpool. On top of that, at least the back line seems to be preventing other teams from scoring the goals Newcastle just simply doesn’t have a way to put inside the opposing net.
Negatives? Starts with an I, ends with “sak,” and in the middle of it is “please bring in or use some damn goalscoring man.”
The international break will give the Magpies an early break to regather, integrate Woltemade, sell Isak, bring another No. 9 or across-the-front forward, and get ready for a game against Wolves at St James’ Park on September 13.
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