Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce admits players give him 'hope' after thrilling Newcastle draw
- Planet Sport writer
- 13 May 2023
Leeds United remain in the bottom three with just two games remaining.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was left disappointed after his side could not win at Elland Road as they looked to strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification.
Luke Ayling put Leeds ahead early on but a pair of Callum Wilson penalties gave Newcastle the lead only for Rasmus Kristensen's deflected effort to deny them three points.
Howe added: "It was a strange game, lots happened, a lot of different feelings from it. At 1-0 down and a penalty down you are fearing the worst but we managed to get ourselves in front and are ultimately disappointed not to win."
Leeds stay in the bottom three, but it was a positive afternoon for new boss Sam Allardyce on his first match in charge at Elland Road, though he needed to calm down after the enthralling nature of the match, where Patrick Bamford missed a first-half penalty and Junior Firpo was sent off at the death.
"I needed two valium when we came off to calm me down," he joked. "I enjoyed it actually, I did. I was nervous before the game because we were playing at home and I wanted to give the fans something.
"But what the lads did for me and the rest of the staff, the fans and themselves gave me some hope going forward because they tried their very best and I can't ask for any more than that.
"Two-two in the end is satisfying. I hope it goes to the wire, when we play Tottenham I hope there is somehting in it for us.
"We have to keep our fingers crossed that the others don't win. It's not in our hands so all we can to do is what we did today and do it better."
