Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 is game of two halves and United so unlucky

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 – Wednesday 10 December 2025 8pm

A bit of a flat first half was followed by an excellent one after the break.

Newcastle United started well and got on the front foot early, controlling possession and Harvey Barnes cutting in from the right but his left foot effort not having the power to bother the keeper.

Unlucky 13 though as in that minute the first Bayer Leverkusen corner of the match was badly defended, at the back post Sandro Tonali ended up turned and facing his own goal. The man he was marking heading across goal, deflecting off Bruno’s back and past Ramsdale. How not to defend a corner.

On 21 minutes, hearts in mouths. Leverkusen broke quickly and with precision, their clever swift passing a hallmark of the opening half when gaining possession. Schick going down on the edge of the box as Thiaw fouled him, Newcastle fans wondering whether a penalty, or a Thiaw red card for an offence just outside the box.

Neither!

The offence outside the penalty area and Tino Livramento deemed close enough, so a yellow and not red for Thiaw.

United kind of did ok the rest of the first half but rarely threatened, whereas when the home side broke with that pace and precision, you could see why they had won away at both Benfica and Man City in their last two Champions League matches.

No personnel changes from Eddie Howe at the break but a big change in Newcastle United’s play and goal threat.

Six minutes into the second half and Woltemade high pressed Flekken, the home keeper making a huge mess of it and fouling the United striker. Gordon smashing home the penalty.

Newcastle on the ascendancy now and Bayer Leverkusen stunned after their keeper’s gift.

Anthony Gordon getting possession and unleashing a brilliant effort from outside the penalty area, back off the post!

What is it with Newcastle and the woodwork? So many times our players have struck it, including another two long distance efforts from Gordon against Burnley on Saturday.

Newcastle United looking really good and the dangerous Gordon showing how much his left foot crossing has improved. On Saturday he won a penalty with one, today a superb cross headed brilliantly home by sub Lewis Miley! Sixteen minutes to go and Newcastle had turned it around.

For me, it was the next stage of the game that was key.

Jacob Murphy on from the bench and he repeated Gordon’s trick, beating Flekken hands up from distance but back into play off the post.

Shortly after that a cross from the right and only six yards out, Thiaw with a very good header but an incredible save from Flekken.

Bayer Leverkusen throwing everything forward and they got their reward on 88 minutes.

Anybody claiming this late equaliser had any resemblance to the Spurs one, is so so wrong.

Poor defending gifted Romero, whereas this was a really clever team goal from Bayer Leverkusen. Sometimes you have t give credit to the opposition.

Yes, if Newcastle United had done this and this then they could have potentially stopped that goal BUT you can say that about any goal that is scored by anybody. This was a goal created by the opposition, rather than gifted by United.

It doesn’t mean you are any less gutted but Bayer Leverkusen didn’t panic and somehow found a way to grab a late point.

Some might argue a draw was fair but for me, Newcastle edged it and came by far the closest to adding more goals with those second half chances. One day soon all of these efforts hitting the woodwork are going to start hitting the net.

A great fightback from Newcastle United and they can take great heart from that. The late equaliser was a setback but not a fatal one in this Champions League campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Newcastle 2 – Wednesday 10 December 2025 8pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 51 pen, Miley 74

Leverkusen:

Bruno OG 13, Grimaldo 88

Possession was Newcastle 49% Leverkusen 51%

Total shots were Newcastle 13 Leverkusen 17

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Leverkusen 7

Corners were Newcastle 6 Leverkusen 9

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 32 Leverkusen 28

Newcastle team v Leverkusen:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 60), Bruno, Gordon (Ramsey 92), Barnes (Jacob Murphy 78), Woltemade (Wissa 93)

Unused subs:

Thompson, Harrison, Schar, Alex Murphy, Willock