Leeds United player ratings vs Newcastle: 3/10 has a stinker, Sean Longstaff proves a point
Leeds United picked up a valuable point against Newcastle United at Elland Road on Saturday.
Daniel Farke's side were solid, but lacked that cutting edge in the final third, in what is becoming a repeated concerning pattern for the Whites.
Following Leeds' humiliating defeats against Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, they needed to bounce back with a positive result and did so to an extent with a 0-0 draw.
In a game that lacked attacking quality from both teams, a point is a solid result for Leeds against a team that will likely finish in one of the European spots come the end of the season.
Sean Longstaff proves point against Newcastle
Longstaff moved from Newcastle to Leeds earlier in the summer, and the midfielder had a superb game against his former employers.
The 27-year-old won eight duels and five tackles as Longstaff provided the bite Leeds needed in midfield after a poor performance from Longstaff in midweek against Wednesday.
With Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu out injured, Leeds will be glad to see Longstaff finding his feet in a white shirt, as he will be needed in Farke's starting XI.
Lukas Nmecha underwhelms
Following on from Nmecha's heroics against Everton, the striker was unable to have the same success against Newcastle.
With Joel Piroe being anonymous to start the season, the starting position up top under Farke is up for grabs.
Nmecha was unable to take this chance in his second Premier League appearance at Elland Road, as the striker struggled to get into the game.
- Nmecha struggled against Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman, winning just one of his four aerial duels
- The forward was limited to just one shot that was blocked
- Nmecha was subbed for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 70th minute
When the German left the pitch, he had recorded just 0.08 xG in a forgettable evening in West Yorkshire for Nmecha.
Leeds player ratings vs Newcastle
Lucas Perri - 6
Jayden Bogle - 7
Joe Rodon - 7
Pascal Struijk - 7
Gabriel Gudmundsson - 7
Sean Longstaff - 8
Ilia Gruev - 6
Anton Stach - 7
Dan James - 6
Willy Gnonto - 6
Lukas Nmecha - 3
Subs:
Jack Harrison - 6
Brenden Aaronson - 5
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 6
James Justin - 6
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