Steve Bruce reacts to Allan Saint-Maximin's stunning Newcastle United cameo

Bruce’s side, trailing to a first-half goal from Raphinha, fought back after the break and levelled through Miguel Almiron. The strike was the club’s first in all competitions in 455 minutes of football.

Jack Harrison, given far too much space by Newcastle, put Leeds back in the lead, but the home side, energised by fit-again substitute Allan Saint-Maximin, pushed hard for a second equaliser.

“We were rocked the goal that we unfortunately gifted,” said head coach Bruce. “We tweaked a few things.

"It’s the first time we’ve really seen Allan for the best part of two months. Of course, if you’re a club like ours, you miss your most attacking player. As soon as he comes on the pitch, he gives you something else. Let’s hope he stays well, Ryan Fraser stays well, and we look a bit more like it going forward.”

Saint-Maximin was only making his second appearance after being sidelined for almost two months following a positive Covid-19 test late last year during a coronavirus outbreak at Newcastle’s training ground.

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said: "We expected a difficult game. There was a 20-minute spell after Jack Harrison's goal where it was difficult to control the game.,

"For us it was a game we needed to win, and it was very difficult, but we managed to do it."

The result leaves Newcastle, without a win in 11 games, 16th in the Premier League.

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