Elland Road defiant in the downpour as Newcastle’s record signing watches a stalemate

Leeds United and Newcastle United shared a goalless draw on a rain-swept night at Elland Road, a contest long on endeavour but short on clear chances. Jacob Murphy drew the only two saves Lucas Perri had to make, while at the other end Dominic Calvert-Lewin was denied by Nick Pope’s boot in the 90th minute as the hosts almost stole it late.

Newcastle’s attacking edge was blunted by the absence of Alexander Isak, who remains out of the picture as he looks to engineer a move away, and the first of Anthony Gordon’s three-match ban. Newly signed Germany striker Nick Woltemade, a club-record arrival from Stuttgart in a deal worth up to £69m, watched from the stands and could not be registered in time to feature. As Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher put it, it was end to end but with a real lack of quality.

Rain, noise and few clear chances

The Elland Road crowd responded to Daniel Farke’s call to act as a twelfth man, a raucous rendition of Marching on Together drowning out the swirling drizzle. Newcastle threatened early when Tino Livramento escaped down the left and fizzed a low cross through the six-yard box that begged a touch. When Jacob Ramsey soon located Will Osula, Gabriel Gudmundsson produced a key block.

Leeds’ best passages before the interval came through Willy Gnonto’s direct running. On 35 minutes, Gudmundsson drilled a teasing low ball to the far post only for Dan James and Jayden Bogle to get in each other’s way. Two minutes before the break Murphy unleashed a fierce drive that Perri parried, and Fabian Schar then saw a clever curling effort deflected over.

Murphy the spark, keepers in command

Murphy remained Newcastle’s sharpest outlet after the restart, swerving a 25-yard strike that Perri clawed away with a fine one-handed save. Until stoppage time, those two efforts from Murphy were the game’s only shots on target, underlining the evening’s defining shortage of cutting edge.

Leeds sought to raise the tempo. Six minutes into the second half Bogle took aim from 25 yards and blazed over, and as the final quarter approached Farke introduced Jack Harrison and Calvert-Lewin to chase a winner. The pattern stayed open yet scrappy – end to end, but without the final pass to turn pressure into a decisive chance – until Calvert-Lewin broke through late and Pope’s studs preserved parity.

Leeds’ response and Newcastle’s wait

For Leeds, this was the response they needed after a bruising week that brought a 5-0 defeat at Arsenal and a Carabao Cup exit on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday. They have not lost a league game at Elland Road since last September and, buoyed by their supporters, looked the likelier side to nick it late before Pope’s vital intervention.

For Newcastle, the story of promising approach play without the finishing touch persisted. With Gordon suspended and Isak unavailable, Woltemade’s view from the stands only heightened the sense of a missing piece. Eddie Howe sent on Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, but Leeds held their shape and resolve to take a point.

What it means and what’s next

Newcastle have two points from their opening three Premier League games, both from goalless away draws, and are still seeking a first win. Leeds remain unbeaten at home this season and move onto four points after another solid Elland Road display.

After the international break, Leeds travel to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 13 September. Newcastle host Wolves on the same day before their Champions League campaign gets under way against Barcelona on Tyneside on 18 September.