Leeds United are preparing to host fellow Premier League club Newcastle United on Saturday, but Eddie Howe will be hoping not to see a repeat of one tense incident.
Leeds United will be looking to capitalise on Newcastle’s injury woes, with four key players out.
With Leeds hungry for three points at home after a turbulent week, losing to Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, Daniel Farke will be suffering with a midfield headache due to injuries.
It’s always a close affair when Leeds take on Newcastle, with four out of their past ten meetings ending in a draw.
And one particular draw was full of drama, and is something Eddie Howe will be hoping not to see this time at Elland Road.
Eddie Howe’s unnerving Elland Road confrontation
The tense 2-2 draw between Leeds and Newcastle at Elland Road in May 2023 was a rollercoaster of emotions and an incident-filled affair.
Leeds manager at the time, Sam Allardyce couldn’t believe they threw the game away. It was the only point Allardyce gained during his four-game tenure. The match saw three penalties awarded, a red card, and a touchline confrontation.
The game saw Leeds take an early lead, but two Callum Wilson penalties for Newcastle saw the visitors take control. However, a deflected shot from Rasmus Kristensen in the 79th minute brought Leeds level.
In the final moments of the game, a Leeds fan ran from the stands and confronted Eddie Howe in the technical area, pushing him before being led away by security.
“I can’t remember whether he pushed me or not,” Howe said at the time. “I’ve got no idea. It’s such a strange thing, because you’re concentrating on the game. He confronted me, said something I can’t repeat, and then he’s led away.
“I think that’s what happened, but someone might tell me something different. I’m OK. Moments like that do make you think. The safety of staff, players is paramount for me. We need to be mindful. Security is so important.
David Derbyshire, the fan who pushed Howe, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and given a six-year football banning order. In addition to his criminal sentence, Leeds United issued a lifetime ban.
Leeds United’s start to the season vs Newcastle United’s
Leeds United and Newcastle United have had a very different start to their 2025/26 Premier League seasons, reflecting their contrasting ambitions.
Leeds, returning to the top flight after winning the Championship, secured a vital 1-0 home victory against Everton in their opening game. However, they were brought back to earth with a harsh reality check in their second match, suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s opening two games have been a mixed bag of results, but against tougher opponents. They kicked off their campaign with a solid 0-0 away draw against Aston Villa. Their second match was a thriller at St James’ Park, where they narrowly lost 3-2 to Liverpool.
This contrasting start highlights the different objectives for both clubs this season. For Leeds, the primary goal is survival. Newcastle, on the other hand, have loftier aspirations as they contend with the added challenge of Champions League football.
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