Yorkshire | Leeds United hold Newcastle

Leeds United 0 - 0 Newcastle United

Newcastle United were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw at Leeds United, with record signing Nick Woltemade restricted to a place in the directors’ box.

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | Elland Road

Woltemade’s £69m move from Stuttgart was completed too late for him to feature at Elland Road, and Newcastle could have done with his presence in attack as Alexander Isak remains intent on securing a move to Liverpool before Monday’s transfer deadline.

In a rain-soaked encounter that produced little in the way of goalmouth drama, Leeds did not register a shot on target until the closing minutes. Newcastle’s first meaningful effort came just before half-time when Jacob Murphy forced Lucas Perri into action, the Leeds goalkeeper also producing an excellent one-handed save to deny the winger from distance after the break.

Leeds substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin might have snatched victory late on, only for Nick Pope to block with his foot.

Newcastle’s search for a first win of the campaign continues, while Daniel Farke’s side will take heart from a battling display.

Fortress Elland Road

Leeds United were in desperate need of a response. The previous week had brought a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal and a Carabao Cup exit on penalties against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Returning to Elland Road must have been a relief for Daniel Farke.While Leeds will need to find a way to pick up points on the road this season, they remain a formidable force at home, particularly with the support of their fans.

It is no coincidence that Leeds have not lost at Elland Road in almost a year. Although most of these matches have been in the Championship, few top-flight teams will relish the prospect of visiting this ground.

The Newcastle United perspective

Three games, 34 shots, two goals. It is easy to understand why Newcastle broke the club’s transfer record to sign Nick Woltemade.

The striker, who scored 17 times for Stuttgart last season, would have relished the chance to connect with some of the crosses Newcastle delivered into the box, particularly in the first half.

With Woltemade ineligible, Anthony Gordon suspended and Alexander Isak absent, the responsibility fell to William Osula to lead the line. The 22-year-old looked to build on his goalscoring cameo against Liverpool in his first league start for the club.

Newcastle created a number of promising opportunities, but repeatedly there was no one able to finish off the teasing deliveries from the flanks.