Eddie Howe saw his Newcastle United side held to a goalless draw in Saturday evening’s Premier League clash against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Leeds United and their fellow Premier League new boys have been tipped to compete by Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe thanks to their recruitment and spending.
Sandro Tonali felt Newcastle had dominated and deserved to win what was largely a scrappy clash. Howe saw it slightly differently.
"I don't necessarily see it quite like that," he said. "We defended really well, we had moments in the game. With the ball our creativity was slightly off.
“The game always feels different when you're in it, I had that many times as a player, to when you're on the sidelines. It wasn't a classic. The game the other night was incredible.
“It was always going to be difficult mentally and physically to come into this game. Defensively really good. That's a big positive to take. With the ball creativity was off and that's the big thing to work on."
Leeds keeper Lucas Perri made a couple of smart stops and the hosts had to survive a few dangerous moments in their penalty box but at the other end Nick Pope was required to make a vital stop from Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late strike.
“Coming here is never easy”
Howe believes they, along with Sunderland and Burnley, will compete in a way that newly-promoted sides have failed to in recent Premier League seasons because of their efforts in the transfer market.
"I think they will be competitive," he said. "All three clubs have recruited very well, which is the key.
“There's been a lot of money spent in the Premier League this year to bridge the gap. Coming here is never easy, regardless of time of year or situation Leeds are in. We knew that.
“Newly promoted team, very positive atmosphere, we had to try and control the game to quiet the crowd and I thought we did that well to begin with."
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