Premier League 2

Newcastle United U21 0

Leeds United U21 2 (Thomas pen 67’, 80’)

Newcastle: Harris (GK), Shahar (C), Charlton, McArthur (Heffernan 46’), Thompson, Miley (Hackett 83’), Turner-Cooke, Stanton (De Bolle 67’), Crossley (Brayson 76’), Harrison, Diallo. Sub not used: Brown (GK).

Leeds: van den Heuvel, Cresswell, Ferguson (Douglas 59’), Coleman, Moore (C), Monteiro, Richards, Chadwick, Thomas, Chambers (Lopata-White 88’), Allen (Snowdon 59’). Subs not used: Christy (GK), Debayo.

Referee: James Oldham

Booked: Miley (Newcastle) Coleman (Leeds)

Venue: Whitley Park

A double from forward Luca Thomas inspired Leeds United Under-21s to a second Premier League 2 victory in as many matches, as they ran out 2-0 winners over Newcastle United Under-21s on Tyneside.

The Whites, clearly buoyed with confidence after an impressive result against Derby County last time out, looked a side keen to impress early on, pressing highly and playing some lovely one-touch football.

Thomas had United’s first sight of goal in typical audacious style, spotting Magpies goalkeeper Aidan Harris off his line and looking to score from distance, curling an effort just wide of the post.

On what appeared to be a fine playing surface at Whitley Park, Scott Gardner’s side looked to use all the space available to them, with midfielder Cian Coleman spraying a fine pass out to Joe Richards on the right flank.

The versatile defender, today deployed as a winger, played an incisive pass for Sam Chambers to race onto, charging into the box and seeing his effort deflect away from danger.

After Leeds had dominated possession in the early stages, the hosts began to see more of the ball and Ellis Stanton lashed over from the edge of the area, rushing onto the ball after Alfie Cresswell had been well-placed to head a dangerous delivery away.

Chambers then won the ball back inside his own half and set off on a marauding run, skipping past black and white shirts before seeing an effort from a narrow angle blocked by the desperate defending of Charlie McArthur.

In what was becoming an open first-half, Amadou Diallo's volley was then charged down by Richards, with Stanton drilling the follow up wide before McArthur spurned a glorious opportunity to put his side into the lead, as he headed Jamie Miley's cross wide.

Jay Turner-Cooke had a final sight of goal before the break from a Newcastle free kick on the edge of the area, but the Magpies winger fired over the bar as the sides went into half time goalless.

HALF TIME: Newcastle United U21 0-0 Leeds United U21

The Whites started the second period strongly and were quickly on the front foot, countering when Thomas latched onto the ball down the left.

He fizzed a pass into Chambers on the edge of the area who, despite stumbling, wriggled away from his marker and clipped the top of the bar with a cross towards the back post.

Toon forward Kyle Crossley then had a huge opportunity to put his side into the lead after the ball fell to his feet 10 yards from goal, following a fine initial save from Dani van den Heuvel to deny Harrison.

Needing composure to roll the ball home, the striker instead opted for power, snatching at the chance and blazing over the upright.

Just after the hour mark, United floated a deep delivery into the hosts’ area which appeared to come off a hand, with referee James Oldham initially awarding a corner kick, despite protests from a number of Leeds shirts.

After deliberating with his assistant, the official then pointed to the spot, allowing Thomas to step up and fire a superb low penalty beyond the despairing dive of Harris and into the corner!

Ben Dawson’s side looked to respond immediately as substitute Cathal Heffernan headed wide from close-range, before Harrison dragged wide of the far post from distance.

Heading into the final 10 minutes and Thomas would grab his second of the match to seal the three points for the Whites, finishing brilliantly to round off an electric attacking move.

Chambers initially did sensationally well to keep possession on the right flank and spun it in-field to Thomas. The forward, under pressure, did superbly as he danced past two Magpies shirts, before firing beyond Harris and into the back of the net!

The attacker, desperate to claim to the match ball, then looked to test the Newcastle keeper once more, but saw his well-struck effort fly over the bar before the referee’s whistle brought proceedings to a close.

FULL TIME: Newcastle United U21 0-2 Leeds United U21