Leeds 5-2 Newcastle: Player Ratings as Hosts Deliver Five-Star Performance

Jack Harrison and Rafinha enjoyed a game to remember
Jack Harrison and Rafinha enjoyed a game to remember / Pool/Getty Images
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Leeds United delivered an accomplished attacking performance at Elland Road on Wednesday night, sweeping aside Newcastle 5-2 thanks to a flurry of late goals.

The win saw Marcelo Bielsa's team leapfrog Steve Bruce's in the Premier League, while also handing their opponents goal difference a bit of a battering as they relentlessly poured forward.

The Magpies had taken the lead in the 26th minute through Jeff Hendrick, but goals from Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo saw the hosts turn things around midway through the second half. A Ciaran Clark header levelled things up at 2-2, before a total capitulation from the away side saw three goals shipped in 13 minutes - the pick of them a blistering late strike from Jack Harrison.

Here's how the players rated in a night of contrasting fortune for both teams.


Leeds United

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Illan Meslier (GK) - 6/10 - The French youngster could do little about the two goals conceded and was tested very little otherwise. Solid distribution out from the back.

Stuart Dallas (RB) - 7/10 - Scored the third goal for Leeds, creeping in around the back-post to finish expertly. Always a threat down the right hand side.

Luke Ayling (CB) - 6/10 - Shifted across to the centre of defence and coped admirably. Managed to keep Callum Wilson feeding off scraps for the most part (although Newcastle managed that themselves).

Liam Cooper (CB) - 6/10 - Perhaps lucky not to give away a penalty with a clumsy tackle on Wilson in the box with the game finely poised at 2-2. Solid, captain's performance otherwise.

Ezgjan Alioski (LB) - 8/10 - The second of the full back's to get a goal, taking it superbly after a quick counter attack. More touches than any other player.


2. Midfielders

Kalvin Phillips (CM) - 6/10 - Bit of a strange game for Phillips, as Leeds domination of proceedings seemed to pass him by a bit.

Mateusz Klich (CM) - 7/10 - Delivered a sumptuous cross for Dallas' goal, and was generally solid throughout.

Raphinha (RM) - 8/10 - In case there were any lingering doubts over the quality of the Brazilian, he put those firmly to bed by giving Jamal Lewis a torrid time.

Rodrigo (AM) - 8/10 - Lovely header to finish off a sweeping Leeds move to put them 2-1 up. Looked a threat throughout.

Jack Harrison (LM) - 9/10 - The star performer. Velvet first touch before crossing for Rodrigo's goal, before he smashed a screamer in of his own from 25 yards.


3. Forward

Bamford reacted first to head into an empty net
Bamford reacted first to head into an empty net / Stu Forster/Getty Images

Patrick Bamford (ST) - 7/10 - Linked up well with Raphinha and Rodrigo, before showing his abilities as a poacher by reacting when nobody else did for his goal.


4. Substitutes

Alioski was on the receiving end of one of Pablo Hernandez's two assits
Alioski was on the receiving end of one of Pablo Hernandez's two assits / Stu Forster/Getty Images

Pablo Hernandez (CM) - 8/10 - Came on to set up the last two goals, becoming the oldest player at 35 to assist two in a game since 36-year-old Gordon Strachan did so in 1993.

Jamie Shackleton (CM) - N/A

Tyler Roberts (ST) - N/A


Newcastle United

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Without Darlow in between the sticks, it would have been more than five
Without Darlow in between the sticks, it would have been more than five / Pool/Getty Images

Karl Darlow (GK) - 7/10 - Says all you need to know, having conceded five he still gets a 7/10. Had it not been for him, could have been a lot more than 5-2.

Jacob Murphy (RB) - 4/10 - Played right back in a four for the first time and had a torrid time of it against Harrison. Did better in second half when he could play on the wing.

Federico Fernandez (CB) - 4/10 - After conceding five, a four might be being generous.

Ciaran Clark (CB) - 6/10 -
Probably Newcastle's best outfield performer on the night which sounds silly given the score. Good driving runs out from the back.

Jamal Lewis (LB) - 5/10 - Another sub-par performance from the youngster. Looked a mismatch against a silky Raphinha.


6. Midfielders

Jeff Hendrick (RM) - 6/10 - His goal saves him from a terrible rating. Did very little else and just isn't a Premier League standard wide player.

Sean Longstaff (CM) - 3/10 - A disaster-class from the childhood Toon fan. At fault for the third goal after being tackled in his own box. Dynamic Leeds pressed and harried him all game.

Isaac Hayden (CM) - 5/10 - Can't have defended the back four very well looking at the score. Did it better than Longstaff though.

Ryan Fraser (LM) - 6/10 - Lovely ball in for the opener. Direct and offered a good outlet down the left.


7. Forwards

Wilson had little to feed on
Wilson had little to feed on / LEE SMITH/Getty Images

Joelinton - 6/10 - Held the ball up well with some very nice touches and turns in the first half. Is he worth £40m yet?

Callum Wilson - 6/10 - Once again reduced to scraps. Unlucky not to win a pen after being crunched by Cooper.


8. Substitutes

Bielsa's changes came out on top of Bruce's
Bielsa's changes came out on top of Bruce's / Pool/Getty Images

Emil Krafth (RB) - 5/10 - Nothing of note. Only good thing was it meant Murphy could push up to right midfield and didn't have to watch him try and defend anymore.

Dwight Gayle (ST) - N/A

Miguel Almiron (LM) - N/A