In a game that featured three penalties and a red card, Leeds United fought from behind to grab a spirited 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at Elland Road, giving their Premier League survival prospects a late boost.
The resilience displayed by Leeds will please interim manager Sam Allardyce because, despite grabbing the lead early on thanks to a strike from Luke Ayling, it appeared that they would suffer a costly loss.
The game appeared to have changed in a thundering atmosphere when Nick Pope of Newcastle saved Patrick Bamford’s penalty on the half-hour, and the disappointment only grew when Callum Wilson of the visitors quickly equalized from the spot.
After 69 minutes, when the video assistant referee determined Junior Firpo had handled the ball, Wilson gave Newcastle, who are attempting to secure a spot in the top four, another penalty.
When Rasmus Kristensen’s drive sailed in off Kieran Trippier’s head 11 minutes from time, Leeds, who had appeared to be outmatched, mounted a comeback and equalized.
Sam Allardyce may eventually come to regard this as a positive result even if his team, which had Firpo sent off in the last seconds, is still in the bottom three and is one point behind Everton.