FOOTBALL – LEEDS United produced one of the most emphatic performances of the young Premier League season yesterday, brushing aside Newcastle United 4-1 at Elland Road to surge into third place.
The result handed Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle his first defeat since taking charge, as Leeds turned a competitive opening into a one-sided contest with four goals before the visitors managed a late consolation.
Newcastle’s hopes of extending their encouraging start under Jaissle unravelled rapidly after Lewis Miley inadvertently put Leeds ahead. Jayden Bogle then doubled the hosts’ advantage before Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor added further punishment.
Jaissle had inherited a side reshaped by the departures of Eddie Howe and several major figures, including Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle attempted to rebuild around younger talent, but that inexperience was exposed against a Leeds side that looked stronger, sharper and more assured throughout.
The evening became even more difficult for the visitors before the half-hour mark when Nico Gonzalez was forced off and replaced under the concussion protocol.
With Gonzalez gone, Newcastle were left relying on an extremely youthful midfield pairing of 18-year-old Sean Steur and 20-year-old Miley.
Leeds immediately took advantage of the uncertainty. Ao Tanaka’s effort took a pair of deflections on its way towards goal, with Miley getting the final touch as the ball looped beyond his own goalkeeper.
There was barely time for Newcastle to regroup before Leeds struck again.
James Justin delivered a dangerous cross into the area, and Calvert-Lewin rose to challenge for it. His header took a decisive touch off Bogle before nestling in the bottom corner, with the Leeds defender credited with the goal.
Calvert-Lewin then claimed one for himself shortly afterwards.