Leeds star striker Chris Wood managed to save Leeds from their third consecutive away defeat by tapping home an exceptionally late Kemar Roofe cross in the 90+5th minute at St. James’ Park, sending the 3,200 traveling United fans into delirium.
Besides an early first half Alfonso Pedraza attempt which pinged the Newcastle United crossbar and obviously the goal, Leeds did not create any memorable chances in a game largely dominated by the Toon. The Geordies were on top for large periods of the game, and registered a total of 22 shots as well as 19 corners during the mainly one-sided affair.
The home side took the lead mid way through the second half through centre back Jamaal Lascelles, following a nod across the box from striker Aleksander Mitrovic. The towering header by Newcastle’s captain was scrambled over the line and the ball was rightly judged to have crossed Leeds’ goal line despite Rob Green’s best attempt to keep the game goalless.
Leeds’ breakthrough came right at the death, following a minimum of five minutes added onto the 90 by the officials which Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was infuriated about despite his players clearly time-wasting after taking the lead as well as a Newcastle pitch invader delaying the game by a number of minutes. A head bandaged Pablo Hernandez picked up the ball in the Newcastle half and after beating a Toon man cleverly found winger Roofe, who took one touch to take it past his Newcastle marker at the edge of the area and a second to whip the ball into the box. The precise cross found a completely unmarked Chris Wood who tapped the ball past Karl Darlow in the Magpie’s net, silencing the Toon and sending the traveling Leeds fans into ecstasy.
The game was played in front of a packed St. James’ Park and the biggest crowd the Championship had seen this season with 52,301 spectators witnessing one of the Championship’s most glamourous fixtures this term. The impressive defensive display by most noticeably Pontus Jansson and Rob Green as well as the strike by Chris Wood sees Leeds climb to fourth in the table after the arguably undeserved point, and are currently three points ahead of seventh placed Fulham with four games left to play.
