Player ratings as Kristensen claims vital late point

FROM ELLAND ROAD – Rasmus Kristensen’s deflected late effort earned Leeds United a vital 2-2 draw with Newcastle in Sam Allardyce’s first home game in charge.

Leeds made a brilliant start as Luke Ayling swept the ball home after just seven minutes and they should have doubled their lead through Patrick Bamford from the penalty spot before the half-hour mark. But Nick Pope had other ideas, diving down low to his right to keep the former Middlesbrough striker’s effort at bay.

Newcastle then converted two penalties either side of the break to go 2-1 up – Callum Wilson coolly dispatching both – but with just over ten minutes remaining, Kristensen’s deflected shot arrowed past Pope to give the home side what could be a crucial point in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

Allardyce had stuck with the 4-5-1 formation he picked for his first game against Manchester City, but did make personnel changes. One of the players to come in, Rodrigo, helped Leeds make the early breakthrough.

Bamford did well on the left and his cross found the Spaniard unmarked in the penalty area. His downward header was clawed away well by Pope but straight into the path of Ayling, who smashed home from close range.

Just before the half-hour mark, Leeds had the perfect opportunity to double their lead. Sam Greenwood played in Junior Firpo, whose run in the box was brought to and end by a clumsy Joelinton challenge. Bamford stepped up to take the spot kick, but Pope diving to his right was equal to it.

A minute later, Leeds’ optimism turned to despair as Alexander Isak exchanged passes with Bruno Guimaraes before being chopped down by a terribly ill-judged Max Wober lunge. Referee Simon Hooper awarded the penalty and Wilson showed Bamford how it’s done from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

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Leeds made a change at half-time with Adam Forshaw coming on for Greenwood, but it was Newcastle looking the more dangerous early on, forcing a couple of corners and seeing a Wilson effort fly just wide.

Leeds also threw on Willy Gnonto as they went looking for the winner, but before he could get himself into the game, the home side fell behind.

Defending a long ball into the penalty area, Junior Firpo inexplicably threw his arm up into the air, fingertipping it away from Isak. Hooper initially didn’t spot the indiscretion but after intervention from VAR, he awarded the penalty and Wilson made it 2-1.

Newcastle brought on Allan Saint-Maximin and…