Leeds 4 Newcastle 1 – Tuesday 14 September 2026 8pm
Newcastle United fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
Nat Seaton:
‘That’s as poor as our defence has played in a very long time, especially below par performances from both Thiaw and Botman.
Our midfield was completely overrun, not helped by the concussion substitution of Nico, and only two in there was a big ask.
Leeds carried a huge amount of luck tonight, even so we were thoroughly beaten.
Well done Toure with your first of hopefully many goals.
It’s important to bounce straight back at home to Hull and go into the international break hopefully with all three points.’
Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…:
‘That was hard to watch.
Losing Nico Gonzalez was a hammer blow and it turned the tide in favour of Leeds who ruthlessly exploited a very poor first half performance.
The kindest thing you can say is that we drew the second half, just.’
GToon:
‘Games like that happen every now and again.
Nothing went our way from the point Nico had to go off.
We ended up surrendering the middle of the park. Steur isn’t ready to compete just yet and Miley was appalling.
We seemed to try hard but to no great effect. So that’s our first defeat then. It’s how we react now that’s important.
The lads didn’t give up but a change in tactics might have helped. I don’t mind a defeat if we learn from it.
If the name “Botman” is anywhere near the next team sheet then we have learned nothing.
Bamba is nowhere near being ready either. We really miss a player like Joelinton who can hurt the opposition. Literally.
BDB and Osula will make a difference when they come back. Oh well.’
David Punton:
‘We’ve had a shocker.
Deserved to get beat and we have been hammered by Leeds, especially in that first half.
A few aspects of this game set alarm bells ringing.
The midfield was a problem after Nico went off. Too inexperienced in a key area, perhaps.
Every time we look up the table the rug always gets pulled from under our feet.
It was a reminder that this is a new team and there are going to many bumps in the road.
The life and times of following Newcastle United.’
Billy Miller:
‘Men vs boys. Literally.
Leeds’ youngest outfield starter was 23 and the two second youngest were both 26. We had four younger outfield players than their 23 year old when the goals started flying in.
Steur looks a top prospect but a poor showing from him. Fernandez-Pardo had a full debut to forget. But I could go through most of the team and point out deficiencies. An awful performance.
When the fixtures came out, this game looked like the start of a period that could help us get our season on track.
After a good start, it’s essential we don’t let this result do the opposite. It’s done, move on.
There are six extremely winnable games coming up depending on which Newcastle United we see.’
Greg McPeake:
‘First week back at work and I get flu. Thanks kids.
Newcastle played like they all had the flu, lacking energy with bones aching and the feeling of not being up for it.
Leeds were on it and we were not.
Elements of promise but it took until the last minutes and by that time we were dead and buried.
Wish I had gone to the Portuguese to watch the game instead of having to listen to the worst commentary in football.’
Photo by Dave via The Mag
Simon Ritter:
‘A few chickens came home to roost at Elland Road.
Men against boys in midfield once Gonzalez had to be replaced because of concussion.
Full-backs given little help from the attacking wide players. Thiaw and Botman outmuscled. Shot-shy in attack. We offered almost no threat in the first half.
All three Leeds goals were deflected but nobody should suggest the dominant hosts were lucky. Calvert-Lewin could have been shown red rather than yellow for a stiff-arm assault, mind.
We were better in the second half, without severely testing Trafford until the 90th minute, when Toure netted his first Premier League goal. By then, immediately after three substitutions were made by Jaissle, a weak Botman header from a long throw led to the fourth Leeds goal.
Hornicek, Dedic, Steur, Fernandez-Pardo, Toure and Bamba are new to the intensity of football in England. They will need to adjust quickly, while their more experienced colleagues must take more responsibility.’
Jamie Smith:
‘Shambolic in many areas tonight. Midfield weak, failure to create until the game was over as a contest and insipid defending. Totally bullied and outfought.
It remains to be seen whether this kind of failure is a teething trouble as Jaissle builds the right side or worryingly indicative of what this team may do. The unsustainable conversion rate was always going to be a concern. The length of absence for Elanga is another.
The short-term has to be to get a result against Hull that would leave a respectable standing going into a lengthy break that should hopefully see the manager able to coach and recalibrate.
May be other tricky days along the way but no need for panic right now.’
Tony Mallabar:
‘Well who could see that coming. Everybody who’s watched us this season. It started off with a cracking atmosphere and went downhill equally as quick. Back on the bus and only a two hour trip home.’
Mark Jankowski:
‘A harsh reality check for Newcastle’s young team and manager.
The speculative approach adopted by Jaissle over his first several games was over run and out worked by an experienced and physical Leeds team.
Once Nico left the pitch with a concussion sub, things quickly unravelled.
Newcastle’s youthful pairing of Steur and Miley looked like rabbits in the headlights at times (especially young Steur). A big reaction will be needed at the weekend against a buoyant Hull City otherwise what had been a promising start to the season could turn suddenly bleak.’
Leeds 4 Newcastle 1 – Tuesday 14 September 2026 8pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Toure 90
Leeds United:
Lewis Miley OG 32, Bogle 34, Calvert-Lewin 45+1, Okafor 59
Possession was Newcastle 49% Leeds 51%
Total shots were Newcastle 7 Leeds 15
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Leeds 6
Corners were Newcastle 5 Leeds 5
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 18 Leeds 30
Newcastle team v Leeds:
Hornicek, Dedic (Livramento 58), Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Lewis Miley (Bamba 80), Gonzalez (Steur 19), Murphy (Toure 57), Wissa, Barnes, Fernandez-Pardo (Willock 57)
Unused subs:
Pope, Schar, Ramsey, Mason Miley