Leeds owned the opening 45 minutes with 58% possession, an 11-1 shot edge and 1.35 to 0.26 in expected goals. The breakthrough arrived on 32 minutes when a Lewis Miley own goal set the tone for the period that followed. Within two minutes Jayden Bogle made it 2-0 with a close-range header, capitalizing on a dangerous delivery and pressure from the hosts. Dominic Calvert-Lewin then added a tidy finish in first-half stoppage time after Tarik Muharemović’s service, pushing the score to 3-0.

It was not just goals; Leeds’ structure ensured territory too, winning duels and stacking final-third entries 28 to 20 in the period. They posted eight shots inside the box before the break, reflecting clever movement and quick switches to isolate wide areas. Referee Michael Salisbury kept a steady line, issuing a late first-half booking to Calvert-Lewin but little else of note. Newcastle struggled to get Yoane Wissa or Harvey Barnes into optimal zones before halftime.

Numbers behind Leeds’ dominance

The full-match shot count read 15-7 for Leeds, with a 6-5 edge in shots on target and a 1.91 to 0.85 xG advantage. More telling was expected goals on target, where Leeds posted 2.68 to Newcastle’s 1.13, a sign of better finishing positions and shot execution. The hosts also led 31-18 in touches inside the box and blocked five Newcastle efforts while conceding none the other way. Cross accuracy separated the sides too, with Leeds at 6/16 compared to Newcastle’s 1/18.

Leeds’ team average Sofascore Rating came in at 7.78 versus 6.29 for Newcastle, mirroring the scoreboard. They were cleaner on the ball with 357 accurate passes to 342, and slightly more active off it with 49 recoveries to 45. Duels fell Leeds’ way overall at 52% to 47%, while Newcastle were dispossessed twice as often (10 to 5). James Trafford’s steadiness mattered, logging 4 saves and +0.13 goals prevented, while Lukáš Horníček faced difficult looks and finished at -1.32 goals prevented.

Second-half swing and substitutions

Newcastle enjoyed more of the ball after the interval, holding 57% possession and outshooting Leeds 6-4 in the half. Joe Willock’s introduction added thrust, and he even clipped the woodwork as the visitors pressed. Bazoumana Touré and Tino Livramento also injected directness from the bench, helping tilt territory and entries. Still, Leeds found a fourth on 59 minutes through Noah Okafor from a throw-in routine, underlining their set-piece alertness.

Newcastle’s consolation arrived at 90 minutes, when Touré finished well from Livramento’s assist to make it 4-1. By then, Leeds had managed the state of the game with savvy defending, posting seven second-half interceptions and 19 clearances. Newcastle’s crossing volume never turned into consistent threat, finishing at 1/18 for the match. Fouls crept up for the visitors too, with 13 in total and nine in the second half, slowing their own momentum at key moments.

Standout performers on Sofascore