Newcastle United fan/writer reaction to Newcastle 4 Leeds 3

Newcastle 4 Leeds 3 –  Wednesday 7 January 2026 8.15pm

Newcastle United fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.

Nat Seaton:

‘WOW WOW WOW what a night!

We’ve come out on the right side of a late goals thriller and how sweet it feels.

So many things to be happy about – just look at all those other results seeing us jump up to 6th! Beating Leeds (although we tried our best to give them a head start…) always makes me happy.

If we’d won 1-0 we’d have the same 3 points but tonight was one of those special nights where those same 3 points mean so much more, grateful to have been there and grateful that it all ended at the Leazes End for once!

And on we go to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup Semi Final with a fighting spirit that is to be applauded, thanks lads.’

Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…:

‘What a finish! Is that the first time we’ve come from behind to win this season?

Obviously I’ll take the win but Leeds probably deserved a point, although their time wasting backfired in spectacular fashion as Barnes tore them apart again, in the 112th minute. Get in!’

Tony Mallabar:

‘Not very often you go to a match and even getting beat with not long to go you still know we will win..tonight was one of those games.

Match-wise Leeds looked more street savy and compact. But even they couldn’t have expected what was coming.

Once again the east stand was in full voice, so roll on Saturday.’

GToon:

‘There aren’t the words to describe that. Simply incredible! That was amazing.

From horrendous with players falling over, to absolutely brilliant with the drive of the team.

Thiaw won’t have another game like that. Barnes was amazing. Is there a position Miley can’t play? Pope all over the place at times.

Constant pressure and them looking just as dangerous as us.

Wow. Just wow! Bruno! Leader!

Hope Schar is ok.’

David Punton:

‘Absolute scenes as we edge a seven-goal thriller.

That winning goal from Harvey Barnes sparked bedlam, sending us delirious and sicken Leeds Utd, who led this game three times.

It’s one of them we may talk about for a very long time. It was so late and yet we emerge with a fourth goal to snatch all three points and skip up the table. A classic.

The fine lines on football are crazy.

At one stage this game was all over the place and we looked like blowing it.

To come off having won – my word. Have to credit the players and Eddie Howe.

It all came despite defensive problems and another poor game for Sandro Tonali.

Never mind all that for now though, because we kept going and we damn well got ourselves a win, the thrilling kind a certain Kevin Keegan will have loved.

Howay the lads! ‘

Billy Miller:

‘An ode to Kevin Keegan.

Felt for a long time like a general day of badness.

First that bad news about King Kev, then bad performances, a bad injury to Schar, shocking officiating.

But the team that can’t win when they go behind, came back three times and only went and won it in classic Entertainers style.

And to top it off we’ve overtaken the Mackems.

Get well soon KK.’

Greg McPeake:

‘On the way to work slipped and cracked a rib.

Day of absolute pain but with the silver lining of what I assumed would be a comfortable evening of football and three points.

Well Leeds were at us from the start so a very uncomfortable watch but great spirit kept us going.

Not at our best, gave too much away, but it feels like a great win.

God my ribs are hurting after all that jumping up and down.’

Simon Ritter:

‘After 10 minutes the fellow-pensioner next to me in the upper East Stand said: “Calm down,” when I yelled at the appalling referee for the first time.

Two hours later, we were all jumping like kangaroos when Barnes buried the winning goal.

Not great for my heart or anybody else’s but it was a wonderful win to lift the depression caused by the news of Kevin Keegan’s cancer diagnosis.

In truth, the match was low in quality and high on errors.

Newcastle’s passing was again woeful at times but the squad’s indomitable spirit earned the three points that put us in sixth place tonight.

Schar’s injury looked a bad one, though Botman, barring one weak header, did well as his replacement.

Miley was again class personified. He is playing himself into the England team.’

Mark Jankowski:

‘I’m an absolute wreck.

Tonight’s performance was almost ruined by one of the most shambolic refereeing displays I’ve witnessed in a long time.

In truth, it was a very shaky performance defensively but our attacking intent couldn’t be resisted in the end.

In a way it was a fitting tribute to King Kev on the evening we received the sad news he’s battling cancer. Hopefully that will have provided some medicine for him as he starts his battle for health.

Oh, and we’re finally above the Mackems.’

Newcastle 4 Leeds 3 –  Wednesday 7 January 2026 8.15pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 36, 90+12, Joelinton 54, Bruno 90+1

Leeds United:

Aaronson 32, 79, Calvert Lewin 45+5 pen

Possession was Newcastle 63% Leeds 37%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Leeds 14

Shots on target were Newcastle 8 Leeds 6

Corners were Newcastle 8 Leeds 4

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 37 Leeds 26

Newcastle team v Leeds:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw (Botman 46), Schar (Ramsey 76), Hall, Tonali (Livramento 46), Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon (Jacob Murphy 81), Woltemade (Wissa 75)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Trippier, Willock, Alex Murphy