Newcastle United player ratings v Bayer Leverkusen: 'Brave' 8/10 & 'really sloppy' Sandro Tonali in 2-2 draw
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United player ratings: Here’s how Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and fared in the Champions League.
Newcastle United drew 2-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening - here are the player ratings from the match.
Eddie Howe made four changes to his side that beat Burnley 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday with Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes coming into the side with Fabian Schar, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga dropping to the bench.
Newcastle went into the game having taken nine points from their opening five Champions League group phase matches but on the back of a 2-1 defeat last time out in the competition at Marseille.
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Bayer Leverkusen took the lead with their first set-piece of the game as Robert Andrich’s header was bundled over the line via a heavy deflection off Bruno Guimaraes.
Things looked to be going from bad to worse for The Magpies when Malick Thiaw conceded a penalty minutes later but a VAR check awarded Leverkusen a free-kick instead.
Bayer Leverkusen led 1-0 at the break with Newcastle looking to come from behind to pick up points for the first time this season.
Newcastle were handed a golden opportunity to equalise early in the second half after Nick Woltemade pounced on a heavy Mark Flekken touch before being brought down by the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
Anthony Gordon stepped up for the third successive match and converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-1.
Gordon then turned provider with his cross being headed in by substitute Lewis Miley.
Newcastle then conceded yet another late goal as Alejandro Grimaldo pushed forward and made it 2-2.
The result leave Newcastle sitting 12th in the Champions League table with two games left to play.
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Here are the Newcastle United player ratings from the match...
Aaron Ramsdale - 6
Couldn’t do too much about the opening goal but made three saves to stop Bayer Leverkusen making it 2-0. Made an important save in the closing stages with Newcastle leading 2-1 but couldn’t stop the equaliser despite getting a hand to it.
Tino Livramento - 6
Pushed forward and was afforded plenty of space down the right but didn’t do much with it.
Malick Thiaw - 7
Showed good composure early on to cut out the danger. Lacked it with his last-ditch foul that was initially given as a penalty but ultimately let Newcastle off with a free-kick and a yellow card following a VAR check. Came close to making it 3-1 with a header only to be denied by a good save. Hit the post moments later and had another opportunity from a set-piece in stoppage time.
Dan Burn - 6
Poor passing the ball forward. Dragged around early on but recovered.
Lewis Hall - 7
The one player showing a few flashes of quality in the first half. Created something out of nothing early in the second half with his low ball going just wide of the right post.
Sandro Tonali - 4
Not at his most sharp and poor for the opener. Grew into the game but almost had a costly slip that allowed Leverkusen to counter. Made some important defensive contributions but was really sloppy with the ball at times and caught out once again late on.
Bruno Guimaraes - 6
Conceded possession on a few occasions early on but kept showing for the ball. Unfortunate to see the ball deflect into his own goal for Leverkusen’s opener, though he could have been more alert. Improved in the second half.
Joelinton - 5
In the right place to block a low shot after 12 minutes. Poor in possession at times. Forced off early in the second half.
Harvey Barnes - 6
Started on the right flank on his return to the side. Had Newcastle’s first shots on target by cutting onto his left foot from the edge of the box twice, but was denied comfortably on both occasions.
Anthony Gordon - 7
Tried to run at the defence and pose a threat but never really got close to the box in the first half. Stepped up and calmly converted yet another penalty to take his Champions League goal tally to five for the season. Hit the post shortly after followinig a good run forward. Put a great ball in for Lewis Miley to put Newcastle in front.
Nick Woltemade - 6
Hardly involved on his return to Germany in the first half but pounced on Mark Flekken’s touch early in the second to win Newcastle a penalty.
Substitutes
Lewis Miley - 8
On for Joelinton 60: Showed a couple of good bursts of pace carrying the ball forward down the right. Was brave to rise highest and head The Magpies into the lead, becoming the club’s youngest ever Champions League goalscorer in the process. Caught ball watching when having to defend late on.
Jacob Murphy - n/a
On for Barnes 78: Had a couple of touches.
Yoane Wissa - n/a
On for Woltemade 90