Leeds and Newcastle share points in goalless draw at Elland Road

0:05Saturday night football came from Ellen Road this week where Leeds played Newcastle. This is how we saw things when the game finished.

0:17Four points from their first month back in the Premier League. A decent return for Daniel Farker's side against a Newcastle team who haven't scored in either of their away matches this season. both of them ending 0-0. But the Leeds manager can be happy with the return. We'll think it possibly could have been more when Dominic Calvert-Lewin got in from the angle in the second half but was denied by the boot of Nick Polk. From Newcastle's perspective, they'll be glad that this soap opera window and month is almost at an end when Alexander Isak's future can be resolved, that they can get their new striker integrated into the team and well prepared for what will be a busy return in September with not only their Premier League commitments but the beginning of their defence of the Carabao Cup and the start of the Champions League campaign.

1:14Sean Longstaff made a good player of the match winning return against his former club on his first Premier League start for his new side but it finishes Leeds nil Newcastle 0. Well if you've made it through the full 90 minutes you will be delighted to know that it's comfortably the lowest XG of any football match that's taken place in the Premier League this season and in fact last season only one game had a lower XG than this one and that was the game between Fulham and Manchester United. However on the plus side Stuart it's four points from their home games for Leeds. Is this a good point for Leeds against Newcastle?

1:55I think when you take into consideration where they are, the squad that's available to them, I think you can look at it and say it's a good point. I think when you look at the first three games up until the international break, and if you'd have told Daniel before you have four points, I think he'd have been happy enough for that. Obviously, still unbeaten at home, we talk about how important it is to make Alan Road a hard place to come to. I think he'll be delighted. I know how much he prides himself on clean sheets as well. So defensively they look pretty sound, they're just lacking that bit of quality going forward which I think he has alluded to himself in terms of needing extra bodies and attacking areas.

2:32So that's something I'm sure the club will address over the weekend going into the international group. And the thing is for this game and for the game against Arsenal, the 5-0 defeat against Arsenal, it's not really about the goalscores, certainly not this game at the Elland Road, it's not about having goalscores there, it's about defending. and the fact that they kept a clean sheet, having shipped five the previous week, is that important for them? Yeah, of course. I think it's about building momentum, which in turn gives you confidence. Leeds' ambition is to stay in the Premier League, to build a squad capable of being in the Premier League this time next season.

3:09So defensively, you've got to be sound. I think the club have looked at that over the summer and looked at the positions they think is most important. They've brought a new goalkeeper in. They've went big and strong and physical in terms of being hard to beat. so yeah after last weekend shipping the five goals the way they did the manager will be delighted that they've come away with a clean sheet today Shea from Newcastle's point of view also looking extremely blunt in this game now obviously there's no Alexander Ezek for well publicised reasons their new record signing for the club Voldemort is in the stands and was unable to play in this game is it almost unfair to judge Newcastle on their attacking plate at this stage of the season before the window closes at 7 o 'clock on Monday?

3:52Yeah, a little bit. I think it's been a tough week for Newcastle. You know, the game against Liverpool on Monday night, you know, had to play so long with 10 men as well. Maybe you're looking for sort of reasons or maybe excuses. Too strong a word why they were quite flat tonight in the game. But obviously when you play against a top team like Liverpool, the champions of the Premier League, then you're going to be in for a difficult game. Anthony Gordon, he looked the best player on the pitch on Monday night before the signing off. So you're looking at reasons why maybe it didn't spark tonight, but that was Monday night today, Saturday night.

4:23So it's like they should have recovered, you know, all sports science. We talk about that a lot and stuff. But what I don't really agree with sometimes is the transfer window in a sense. I always feel, and I probably say this at the start of every season, that it should be closed before a ball's kicked. Because you see Eddie walking off now. His phone will be ringing again. Now is this player coming? Is this player leaving? There's so much goes on. And I think football coaches and even the players as well, they want to know who's on board for the course of the whole season. So again, there'll be a busy couple of days.

4:48I'd imagine coming up for Newcastle, you say at seven o 'clock on Monday, that's shots and then they can focus on, of course, the Premier League. And let's not forget Newcastle and the Champions League this season as well. So there'll be big questions asked of that squad. Yeah, we hope to speak to Eddie Howe and ask him exactly those questions that he's sick of a little bit later on. But it's already been a busy day and there've been goals elsewhere in the Premier League today. Most notably, the game between Manchester United and Burnley. That game between Chelsea and Fulham, very controversial because because an early Fulham goal was chalked off in that one.

5:19Chelsea went on to win it by two goals. So now Marco Silva really unhappy about the decision to disallow that Fulham goal for a foul in the build-up. Manchester United, 90 plus seven minutes it was. Bruna Fernandes got the penalty. Manchester United led twice in this game. Burnley pulled it back twice. They also had a goal disallowed. But then that late, late penalty earned Manchester United all three points. That's their first win of the season. You might want to watch the highlights of that one as well if you want to see how Bayern Deer got on for Burnley's second goal, I think it was, in that game.

5:49Sunderland left it late against Brentford. In fact, the Brentford goal didn't come until 77 minutes. Then it was a penalty for Sunderland and a late, late winner to get them all three points. They now, from their opening two games at the Stadium of Light, have a 100 % record there. Disappointment for Tottenham. They were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth. Evan Nielsen with the goal in that game. And it's another win for Everton and for David Moyes. Although it got a little bit tense with a late Wolves goal towards the end of that one. Everton take all three points. They won that one 3-2. Goalless, very strongly goalless between Leeds and Newcastle in the Saturday night football.

6:25And there's lots to come tomorrow. Brighton against Manchester City is going to be the game that's on Sky Sports' main event. You can see the other two o 'clock kickoff between Nottingham Forest and West Ham. All kinds of stories around that game that aren't necessarily related to what's happening on the pitch there. I was still keeping in mind what's happening with Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest. The 4.30 game, Liverpool against Arsenal, the only two 100 % records left in the Premier League. One of them has to go tomorrow, if not both. Aston Villa against Crystal Palace for the late game tomorrow.

6:56It's a 7 o 'clock kickoff there. And those three games, those last three, are all on Sky Sports Premier League. If you want to see any of the highlights from the weekend's games that have happened so far, you can scan the QR code that you can see on your screen right now. it'll take you straight to the Sky Sports app and you can watch them for free and without signing in. So a stalemate at Elland Road between Leeds and Newcastle a point much better for Leeds than it will have been for Newcastle but you sense that these squads aren't yet fully formed as we head towards the end of the transfer window.

7:29We'll talk about the game but we'll also talk about what the rest of the season might hold for Leeds United and Newcastle United next.

7:44You walked in to the commentary box, giving it the biggest name drop of all time. Ishigua texts me saying, Chris Martin wants your number. And I was like, what, the former New Zealand fast bowler? But she went, no, Chris Martin from Colquay wants your number. I thought this was a wind-up. And I get a text from Chris Martin saying, I love the pod. I'd love to meet you and Af. and I still think it's a wind-up. So thank you, Chris, for following us and listening to our nonsense. I'm Mike Atherton. I'm Nasser Hussain. Follow Sky Sports Cricket or get your podcasts the usual way, however you get them, we will be there.

8:38For the first time, all the games on the final day of the season will be live in one place. And in another first, Sky Sports can now offer multiple live matches at 2pm on many Sundays through the season. To become a Sky Sports customer, head to sky.com. For now, though, let's get back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast.

9:29We'll be right back. really, in terms of passes in the final third and possession 43 to 57. So relatively even match between both sides. It was a point for Leeds United, an important clean sheet for them. But Eddie Howe joins us now for the Newcastle United perspective. Eddie, thanks so much. It looks like it was pretty rainy out there. Yeah, I'm still wet. I'm still feeling the effects. Listen, in terms of the game itself, It looked like a frustrating day out there for a few reasons. How did it feel to be watching it? Yeah, I thought defensively very strong. I think we've been really good in the three games so far in that respect.

10:10But I think we've got work to do at the other end of the pitch, which is really unlike us. We've historically been really good attacking team, very free scoring and very good chance creation. But it hasn't quite been there. Well, certainly today it wasn't. And we're disappointed with that aspect of our play. so yes work to do in that respect Was that down to the players who weren't available for various reasons in terms of the attacking play Eddie? Well yeah I mean I don't want to sit here and say that that is the only reason of course we have to do better with what we have but I think when you lose the quality of players that we have from last season to this you know Anthony Gordon of course is a big miss as well and Joe Linton but of course Alex is a huge player for us So take those three players away and you're going to suffer slightly.

10:57But as I say, I still think we've got really good players on the pitch and we need to do better. Just for me, Eddie's going to ask you about the transfer, not too much detail, but will you be happy when it's sort of closed on Monday night and you can really sort of focus your squad down on, of course, the Premier League and the Champions League campaign around the corner as well? Yeah, I think that'd be huge for us, Shea. I think we're really looking forward to that clarity, really, in terms of what our squad looks like. and then of course the noise around us it couldn't have been easy for the players to handle that all through pre-season and at the start of the season so I think once we have clarity on the squad we'll move forward and I'm sure we can do really well this year In terms of what you're hoping to achieve this season it's almost like as Shea says a false position at this stage in the season when you don't have your full squad but your targets are still there and although you maybe felt that you were not quite performing to the levels you wanted in that final attacking third.

11:53Just talk to me through the rest of the performance in midfield. And particularly, I know you highlighted the defensive performance. Yeah, I think in all three games, our general performances have been very strong. Maybe less so today, but certainly the first two. Defensively, I think we've looked cohesive. I think we've looked resilient. We're going to need that through a really demanding campaign. I back us ultimately to score goals and to create chances. It's never been a historical problem for us. So I think this is a short-term issue. Long-term, I think the team looks pretty good. Eddie, we've talked about the players who aren't available to you.

12:29Valtomada is about to be available. What were you hoping that he can bring? What are the qualities that you can tell us about? Well, he's a really good technician, Kelly. His size will be a talking point because he's obviously a big presence, but he's not really a target man, although he can head the ball. It's his creativity around the box. It's his link play. He dribbles with the ball really well for someone so big. And he's got real creativity around the box. He will find passes that not many other players can see. So I think he can add a dimension that we currently don't have. And I just think generally that will lift confidence as well.

13:04Because when you feel you have goal scorers in your team, I think the general level of your whole squad goes up. So are you saying we need to be cautious about judging him just purely on his goal scoring numbers? that actually his all-round game is more important than just the raw figures? Well, I think always for us, I think we're looking for multi-talented players because the league we're in is so hard. I don't think you want to be one-dimensional. I think you've got to have lots of strings to your bow to be successful in England. And I think he has them. And I'm really looking forward to seeing him play in our team.

13:37Are you hoping for more arrivals? Yeah, I'm not sure on that, really. I think being the manager, of course, you're always hopeful. You think that you can maybe add maybe one more that can make a difference, but there's no guarantees on that. I think we'll keep working to the end of the window. We're really pleased with what we've done so far. I feel genuinely we're a lot stronger squad wise than we were last year. Obviously, we've had an issue at the top end of the pitch. So, yeah, fingers crossed we might be able to do some more. And about 48 hours to go until you'll never have to answer this question again.

14:08But what next for Alex Isak? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not party to any talks going on. I've been preparing for this game and you can imagine that's demanding enough. So I will find out like everybody else. Eddie, thanks so much. And thanks for your patience with answering those questions for pretty much the duration of this transfer window. No problem at all. Thanks very much. Thanks very much. And Eddie Howe saying he's not involved at that level in terms of the negotiations. We're still waiting to see exactly what happens with Alexander Isak. They have not quite a ready-made replacement in terms of Valtemar.

14:45The way that he was being described there by Eddie Howe suggests that he's not a like-for-like with Isak, but that kind of creativity that he can bring, he wants to get goals from him as well. How much would that have added something in tonight's performance, do you think? I think it would, yeah. You can see him in the stands, Valdemar tonight watching the game, thinking what he could add, you know, get into good positions in the box. I know Eddie mentions about his link-up play, and that's probably really good with the ball at his feet for such a big guy. But when you're 6 '6", as well, I'd like to see him get on the end of a few crosses as well.

15:13Duncan Ferguson-like, you know, get the ball in the mixture. Because sometimes football's not always pretty. It's not always the perfect goal. And I think Valdemar brings you that sort of presence up front. And again, I think Eddie mentioned there about, you know, giving the sort of squad a lift. Because they need someone on the forward areas. We were showing tonight's game as well. they were lacking that sort of spark up top and this guy's going to bring it. I mean, a little bit probably unknown to a lot of Premier League fans as well. You know, what can he bring to the Premier League? And I'm interested as well.

15:38In the Champions League squad? No, he wasn't last year. And again, he's technically a very good player by all accounts. But what I would say, and you could even talk about Isak in this, when Isak joined Newcastle, you know, Eddie and his staff improved in no end. And I think this guy as well, still very young, Kelly, and I think there's lots of room for improvement. Yeah, that's what I was going to say. obviously he's still quite young so for them to spend the money they've spent on him there's a huge pressure on him now to come in and succeed so you know Eddie's obviously by the way I think Eddie has navigated it very well this situation because it can't be easy for him either in terms of you know always been asked about the questions but I think he'll end up hopefully bringing somebody else in alongside him but you know I've seen him playing for the under 21s at the Euros I think he's a good player and you know he's he's got a bit of everything about him he's strong he can hold up the play as well so I think it's a good signing and I look forward to seeing how he does Yeah and it's about that raw talent as you say and how good Eddie Howe is at developing that and the players who've really come on in terms of being coached by him and developed and obviously Joe Linton is the example that everybody gives that he moved position for him and really got the best out of him but this kind of sharpness while not as Eddie Howe was saying his absolute primary talent is certainly one that's going to be very welcome.

16:56Well, you see the size and the stature he brings in the pitch, but you can also see he knows who the back of the net is on these clips for sure. I think you can see he's very clever as well with these runs and Wente running into the space and stuff. And I'm excited to see him play. Of course, we'd love, from a Newcastle one, we'd love to keep hold of both them names, as we see on that street. We'd love to keep hold of Isak as well. But by signing and Valtima, it looks like Alexander will probably leave before Monday night. I was interested looking at this pie chart, the fact that he's higher in terms of expected goals.

17:25Sorry, Isak is higher in terms of expected goals, but Voltomada is higher in terms of chances created. And there's not really too much in terms of the expected goals numbers as well, even though Isak is way ahead in terms of shots. So it gives you an idea, and the touches suggest that he's way more than Isak. And that suggests that he is a player who's going to be involved a lot more than just kind of being an out and out number nine. And anyhow, it pains me to say that's not what we've brought in here. Yeah, I think obviously you can see that. But I think I don't read too much into stats, albeit, you know, he hasn't played in the Premier League.

18:00You know, he's obviously been judged on his Premier League form. So I don't read too much into that. But clearly he's a player that they've been after for a while. But as I say, he's still really young. So we know, you know yourself, Shay, with the expectation at Newcastle for somebody to come in and succeed straight away, it might be quite difficult. So I'm sure Eddie will be looking to bring somebody else in alongside him, maybe just to share the pressure. Stuart, you talked about how well you feel that Eddie Howe is handling the situation. And he mentioned it there in the interview, that it can't have been easy for the players.

18:29Is that a distraction? Not just any old transfer speculation, but it's the saga of the summer. Yeah, it's a big saga. It's been on all the news headlines, obviously. And as a player, you've got to just do your job. You've got to get on with it. But certainly, you know, it can't be easy for them either, because as players you're wheeled out in front of the press. And I'm sure every player has been asked about it in every press conference. So it's not easy, but as a player, you've just got to get on with it and look after what you can control. You know, you can't control what's going on with another player.

18:58You can just control what's going on with yourself. So it can be a distraction, but Eddie seems to have done a great job and keeping everything in-house. We're nearly there in terms of a decision being made one way or another. It looks as though it may be that the move to Liverpool will happen now that Newcastle have got in reinforcements. What have you made of the whole saga? Yeah, it's a shame because I think Alexander Easek has been a brilliant player. If he does go to Liverpool, a fantastic player. Not that long ago, we see Alexander the Great behind the goal and the Swedish flags and the way the war flags.

19:31That's not what they were singing today. They were singing something different. in the last couple of weeks, you know, but they were singing that because they feel a bit hurt, if I'm being brutally honest, the fans feel hurt how it's all panned out and I think maybe I'll advise Alexander with some of the, you know, the stuff that's come out and especially his agent, I think obviously he's been very quiet but I'm sure he's pulling lots of strings behind the scenes. So I just felt from an Alexander point of view could have dealt with it better. You know, he's not played any football pre-season as well, even if he does join Liverpool, it'll take him, you know, he's missed a full pre-season as well.

20:01But again, part of me hopes that he might just stay and can score this time next week or two weeks after the international break and come back into the fall. But by signing this... Do you still think there's a way back to him? I think there might still be a way because obviously Callum Wilson left the club as well. You know, this guy's come in this week. They still need another striker. I know Viss has been heavily linked and obviously the Wolves striker this week as well. So I still believe that Eddie's... He's not giving us much out there, which is fair enough, keeping his carriage close to his chest.

20:29But I do believe they need another striker in as well. So I don't think the Alexandre is just quite over the line yet, but it looks that way, if I'm being honest, Kelly. Yeah, it's been a very long and involved talk, and there's lots been going on in that. And from what you say, and from the little that we have heard, when Alexandre Isak did put the statement out on social media, it seems as though miscommunication has been at the heart of it, that he is certainly under the impression that promises were made. He talked about broken promises in his statement, but that is not the understanding of the club.

21:03That's not how they understand the relationship between themselves and Isak. Do you have any sympathy for him in any of this? I suppose you do and you don't because, you know, we were sort of talking off air, but, you know, Patrick Bamford, for example, at United Leeds, you know, they don't want him at the club anymore. He's been there seven years, two promotions, lots of highs with the football club and the club don't want him anymore. So they go, well, can you find a new club? And then Alexander Isak has done really well for Newcastle and wants to leave to a different club for whatever reason, good or bad.

21:31And he's, you know, been absolutely abused from, you know, top to tail. I don't know. It's a difficult one. I just feel like the whole lot, I mean, even the Liverpool thing, and probably leave a bit on them as well. I think that the offer of£110 million was a bit of a grenade into the whole thing because I think that offers disrespect. I know it's a lot of money, like one of the highest paid sort of sums in the Premier League. But if you think of Casado, a midfielder, went for£116 million. Declan Rice went for£105 million. And we're talking about Alexander Riesek. And three years left on his contract.

21:57Three years left on his contract. and not just in the Premier League and world football. So again, I think they've been clever, Liverpool, I suppose. They'll look back and go, we'll sit back with the popcorn and we'll see what happens. Now you have to put that bid in. But I think for it to come off on Monday at seven o 'clock, I think that offer has to be a lot more. Sky Sports News is the place to be. We're all in yellow in here, with the Leeds yellow roundabout here, ahead of the transfer deadline closing. And you'll be able to watch it all unfold on Sky Sports News. But it was a goalless draw at Elland Road this evening.

22:27not a bad point for Leeds four points from their two opening home games four points for their opening three Premier League games we'll hear what Daniel Farker made of it next

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