Magpies comeback win thwarted by late, late effort on a night of high drama

NEWCASTLE

- By LEE RYDER Chief Newcastle writer in Leverkusen @lee_ryder

Newcastle's Joelinton and Leverkusen's Arthur go head-to-head for the ball

United capitulated in Germany as they snatched a draw from the jaws of victory against Bayer Leverkusen.It looked like Lewis Miley had won it at the BayArena after coming off the bench to head home.

Anthony Gordon had hauled his team back into it at 1-1 but a defensive switch-off at the end killed dreams of a victory against the 2024 Bundesliga champions.

As the equaliser slipped past Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Woltemade stood with his head in his hands on the halfway line. And his body language summed up what a big chance Newcastle had squandered in Leverkusen.

The Magpies registered the game’s first shot on target on five minutes when Harvey Barnes, fielded on the right-hand side, sliced his effort past Edmond Tapsoba before firing a tame shot straight at Mark Flekken.

And while it was a positive enough start for Newcastle, the home side were equally comfortable with the ball and pressed impressively.

In that sense, Leverkusen’s 13th-minute opener was in keeping with their progressive start to the game. But Newcastle will be kicking themselves at the manner of it after Malick Thiaw conceded a corner.

Alejandro Grimaldo floated the ball to the back post with centre-back Robert Andrich heading across goal and easily beating Sandro Tonali.