Leeds v Newcastle: As It Happened

Leeds United 3
Newcastle United 2
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Kick-off 2pm

Updates from Dan King at Elland Road

SECOND HALF UPDATES

90mins: There is no added time and the final whistle blows. Newcastle kept on battling back every time the home side went ahead, but they were unable to do so for a third time and so go down to defeat at Elland Road against a Leeds outfit who are sure to challenge for promotion back to the top flight next season.

87mins: So close from Sammy Ameobi - twice. First Leon Best tees him up and his well-struck shot is parried by Longergan. Then the ball is worked to the same player again, via Vuckic, and this time he hits an effort just wide with the keeper rooted to the spot.

85mins: LEEDS GOAL (3-2): As Newcastle fail to properly clear a corner kick, the ball is recycled and played out to Mendy on the right. His deep cross goes all the way to the far post where sub Billy Paynter gets the ball in the tightest of angles between the post and Forster to put Leeds in front for the third time this afternoon.

79mins: Paul Dummett is on for his third senior appearance - he also played at Darlington and Columbus - in place of Danny Simpson. That allows Ryan Taylor to switch to right-back, with Welsh under-21 prospect Dummett at left-back.

76mins: NEWCASTLE GOAL (2-2): There are high hopes for Haris Vuckic if the Slovenian teenager can stay clear of injuries this term, and he's shown why with his second goal of the pre-season campaign hot on the heels of his strike against Columbus. Ryan Taylor's clever ball is turned back into the path of Vuckic by an intelligent Ba lay-off, and the youngster hammers the ball home despite Lonergan getting a touch. 

74mins: Sammy Ameobi's lovely cross from the left is met by Joey Barton with a diving header but Longergan makes a terrific save, flying to his left to keep it out from six yards out. It's a top drawer stop from the ex-Preston keeper and it means Leeds' lead is still intact.

73mins: A great crossfield ball from Ryan Taylor is well controlled by Leon Best, who creates room for a shot 12 yards out, but his shot cannons back off Bromby. Best appeals forlornly for a handball, but there's nothing doing from referee Haines.

67mins: LEEDS GOAL (2-1): If Leeds' first goal was down to an individual error from a Newcastle player, so unfortunately was their second. Mike Williamson tries to shephard the ball out of play down the left channel but Lloyd Sam, only recently introduced, nicks it from the big defender and is able to squeeze the ball through Forster's legs.

66mins: Now BOTH sides have made triple substitutions. For Leeds, their second mass change of the game sees Billy Paynter, Ramon Nunez and Alex Mendy replace Adam Clayton, Ross McCormack and Max Gradel. For Newcastle, Shola Ameobi is replaced by younger brother Sammy while Leon Best is on for Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic is on for Jonas Gutierrez.

64mins: The game has lacked much in the way of incident in the last few minutes, but Newcastle do fashion a decent chance as a three-man move sees the ball worked to Ameobi just inside the area, but his shot hit straight at Andy Lonergan.

59mins: Sir Bobby Robson was a great advocate of the triple substitution, and on a day where he's in every Unted fan's thoughts, Leeds boss Simon Grayson has made one of his own. Robert Snodgrass, Ben Parker and Patrick Kisnorbo are off, Lloyd Sam, Tom Lees and Boldizsar Bodor are on.

57mins: Ryan Taylor is on for James Tavernier, who has done well at left-back despite being much more comfortable on his right foot. Taylor has recently said that he sees himself as a right-back, but he's known for his versatility and he'll get the chance to show that once again.

55mins: A Snodgrass set-piece is only half-cleared and Adam Clayton plays the ball back into the box, where it is met by the head of sub Bromby. It's wide of the target, however, and the United fans at the other end break into a chorus of 'there's only one Bobby Robson' on the second anniversary of the legendary former manager's death.

53mins: As the attendance is announced as 20,457, Howson again threatens. A one-two allows him the opportunity to shoot inside the box and it's a vital block from Mike Williamson which sees the ball spin behind for a Leeds corner.

47mins: Lovely feet from Leeds skipper Jonny Howson leaves Cabaye and Gosling for dead before the midfielder advances and lets fly from 25 yards out with a low effort which zips just wide as Fraser Forster dives to his left to cover.

46mins: The second half is now underway, and there is one change for Leeds - former Magpie Andy O'Brien replaced by Leigh Bromby.

FIRST HALF UPDATES

45+1mins: It's half-time and after an awful start, where they fell behind after Fraser Forster's error, Newcastle have grown into the game and are deservedly level through Steven Taylor. In the second half they will attack towards their own supporters, who have been as vocal as ever in this first period.

45mins: Leeds appeal furiously for a penalty, claiming that Steven Taylor had handled Robert Snodgrass' right-wing cross, but referee Andy Haines consults with his linesman and waves their protests away. There'll be one minute of added time.

43mins: After play had paused for Yohan Cabaye and Max Gradel to receive treatment following a clash near the half way line - both seem okay - United breakaway through Ameobi who shuffles past a couple of challenges but fires wildly over the top.

35mins: NEWCASTLE GOAL (1-1): I mentioned five minutes ago that Yohan Cabaye was picking Steven Taylor out with each corner - and he's done it again. This time it was a left-wing flag-kick and Taylor was running in at the far post to steer it home with his right foot. Newcastle are level and they've certainly improved after a slow start.

32mins: Fraser Forster was at fault for the early goal, but he has gone a long way towards redeeming himself with a superb save from Gradel. The Ivory Coast winger had jinked down the left, cut inside and unleashed a thunderbolt towards goal, but Forster got a vital fingertip to divert the ball behind for a corner, which leads to nothing.

30mins: The Taylor and Cabaye partnership works again, with a similar result. Another flag-kick from the Frenchman is met by Taylor, but this time his header goes wide - Cabaye is having no trouble picking him out though.

27mins: From Yohan Cabaye's corner, Steven Taylor gets up highest. But, under some pressure, the defender who finished last season with three goals in the final three games can't direct his header on target.

22mins: Max Gradel looks a threat for the home side with his pace and trickery, but he also takes a decent set-piece and from his latest delivery, Newcastle half-clear the ball but only as far as Adam Clayton, whose attempted volley goes wide. It was a difficult one to execute and he got his timing fractionally wrong, much to United's relief.

20mins: This is better from Newcastle as Demba Ba holds the ball up well and plays in Barton. The number seven bursts down the left-hand side of the box and hits a low cross which Ba, sliding in, just fails to connect with at the far post.

17mins: After Shola Ameobi does well to hassle the Leeds defence, the ball breaks to Barton on the edge of the box but he can't keep his shot down and it flies over Andy Lonergan's crossbar.

14mins: A let-off for Newcastle as Max Gradel heads the ball home from an inswinging free-kick, only to be ruled offside. Gradel is one of the smallest players on the pitch, so had that counted Alan Pardew would have been asking a few questions of his defenders for allowing him to steer that home.

12mins: Demba Ba has just been denied by not one but two superb last-ditch tackles. As he raced through on goal, he was first thwarted by Andy O'Brien's fine sliding tackle, but the ball broke kindly for the Toon striker who pulled back his right foot to shoot from six yards - only for goalscorer Kisnorbo to appear from nowhere to take the ball off his toe.

11mins: Jonas Gutierrez lines up a shot from a central position 25 yards from goal after good approach work from Joey Barton, and it's a decent strike too. It could even have been heading in but for home defender Paul Connolly's crucial block.

7mins: Leeds break again through Ross McCormack and his ball into the box is inviting - Newcastle are lucky that Yonas Cabaye is their to get a toe-end to the ball before it reaches a white shirt. The Magpies only arrived back in England from the United States on Thursday - and it is showing in these early exchanges.

5mins: LEEDS GOAL (1-0): Fraser Forster was given the nod in goal this afternoon but he's dropped a clanger here. A harmless ball from Robert Snodgrass is played in and the giant keeper goes up to collect, but under no real pressure he fumbles straight to the feet of Patrick Kisnorbo, who smashes home from virtually on the goal-line.

4mins: There have been no chances as yet but Leeds, in their all-white kit, have started brightly against Newcastle, who are once again in orange.

TEAM NEWS: Fraser Forster starts in goal for Newcastle, while Yorkshire boy James Tavernier begins at left-back after impressing on the tour of America. Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor are the centre-backs with Danny Simpson on the right hand side.

Another of United's Stateside stars was Dan Gosling and he gets the nod in midfield alongside Joey Barton, who has three goals from four friendlies so far this summer. Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez make up the midfield.

Up front, captain Shola Ameobi is partnered by Demba Ba. On the bench are Ryan Taylor, Paul Dummett, Haris Vuckic, Tim Krul, Leon Best and Sammy Ameobi.

Former Leeds man Alan Smith misses out with a slight groin injury while Jose Enrique has a minor hamstring problem. Fabricio Coloccini is rested, but will train tomorrow. Andy O'Brien lines up against his former club for Leeds.

LEEDS UNITED: Andy Lonergan, Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Jonathan Howson, Andy O'Brien, Ben Parker, Max Gradel, Michael Brown, Adam Clayton, Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack.
SUBSTITUTES: Paul Rachubka, Billy Paynter, Leigh Bromby, Ramon Nunez, Lloyd Sam, Aidan White, Tom Lees, Alex Mendy, Boldizsar Bodor.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Fraser Forster, Danny Simpson, James Tavernier, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson, Joey Barton, Dan Gosling, Yonas Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba.
SUBSTITUTES: Tim Krul, Paul Dummett, Ryan Taylor, Haris Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi, Leon Best.

REFEREE: Andy Haines

ATTENDANCE: 20,457