Leeds United

Leeds United's starting XI:

James Trafford: A clean sheet against his former suitors. A couple of nervy clearances early on but went on to make an important save to deny Harvey Barnes. 7

James Justin: Teasing cross set up Leeds' second goal. Has become a key component in this system. 7

Nico Elvedi: Only his second Premier League start yet already looks at home at Elland Road. Solid at the back but got it all wrong at the other end after volleying wide at the back post when unmarked. 7

Tarik Muharemovic: The club's player of the month for August for a reason. Made it look rather comfortable at the back on Monday night. 7

Jayden Bogle: Second goal credited to him. Did not know much about it, but has found his shooting boots after his goal at Brighton last time out in the league. Twice forced Lukas Hornicek into big saves before second goal took final touch off him. A real threat. 8

Anton Stach: Won a corner inside 32 seconds. That set the tone for Leeds' relentless display, even if he later wasted chance to score. 7

Ethan Ampadu: Ensured Leeds kept pushing for more as he barked instructions. Saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin inadvertently block a vicious goalbound effort. 7

Ao Tanaka: His goal took two heavy deflections but had the confidence to take the shot. Looking back to his best in recent weeks even if he was relieved to see one misplaced pass unpunished. 7

Gabriel Gudmundsson: Caused Newcastle real problems with his runs down the left. Looked more a winger than a wing-back. 7

Noah Okafor: Fine strike for Leeds' fourth, having also coolly pulled the ball back for Tanaka to let fly for his side's opener. 8

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Just loves this fixture. A trademark header came off Bogle for Leeds' second and then showed other side of his game to finish calmly on the floor for the hosts' third. Has scored eight goals against Newcastle - more than any other side. 9

Leeds United's substitutes:

Melvin Bard (on 72, Gudmundsson): Perfect environment to make his Premier League debut. 6

Brenden Aaronson (on 72, Tanaka): Lots of energy. 6

Harry Wilson (on 72, Okafor): Eager to impress. 6

Lukas Nmecha (on 78, Calvert-Lewin): 6

Daniel James (on 83, Bogle)

Sean Longstaff (on 88, Stach)

Subs not used: Zetterer, Bijol, Bahoya, Nmecha

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

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Two wins and two draws have taken Leeds up to third in the Premier League after four games, with only Manchester City and Arsenal having more points.

After securing safety on their return to the top flight last season with a 14th-place finish, this is a start Leeds fans would have dreamed of.

In fact, only in 1995-96, 1998-99, 2001-02, and now 2026-27 have Leeds avoided defeat in each of their first four in the competition in the Premier League era.

And that is not the only positive, as Elland Road is becoming the fortress Daniel Farke will have hoped for, with their last defeat coming on 3 March.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was at his physical best against the team he has more goals against than any other.

The Leeds number nine certainly shows up at home. Since the start of last season, only Erling Haaland (16) and Igor Thiago (13) have scored more Premier League home goals than Calvert-Lewin's 10.

It is hard to know what Leeds' true ambitions are this term, but they may be using Sunderland's seventh-place finish last season as an example of what is achievable.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke on the game: "For each manager, it's a nightmare to concede so late after a performance like that. We allowed them to score, doesn't take anything away from us. My boys were brilliant, perfect start. Even in a perfect performance there's always something to moan about, this was definitely one of the rare points I have to criticise.

"Energy, quality, we knew we needed to find a good balance but we were aware of their [Newcastle's] pace and their counter attack. We found the balance today, we were the dominant side.

"We have good fitness levels, you always need to find the right triggers. When you press, everyone has to be on the same page. It's a lot of work at the training ground to be that intense. It's not easy otherwise all the other opponents would do it. Such hard work, we had more chances to score tonight, overall happy with the performance."

On the first goal being lucky: "Wouldn't say lucky. We brought ourself into a good shooting position, there was quality of the strike for my players. Sometimes there's deflections but it was an important combination of us in that area."

On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "He plays with confidence, his fitness is up. I expect him to lead the group. He's taken responsibility, never in doubt that he scores goals. It's not just the goals though, the way he plays is outstanding. He's one of the standout strikers in this league."

"Tonight, we'll enjoy the win. Tomorrow, we prepare for our next game on Sunday."

Did you know?

• Only Arsenal (52), Manchester City (50), Manchester United (45) and Bournemouth (37) have won more Premier League points in 2026 than Leeds United (35), with the Whites suffering just a single defeat across their last 13 league games (W6 D6).

Hear more from Farke on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies.

Newcastle are the new counter-attack kings and I am expecting more of the same from them here.

It will be interesting to see how Leeds boss Daniel Farke tries to deal with that. He has been quite versatile with the way he has set his side up this season.

Leeds have shown a bit more steel in their league games too, and look well organised, but at the same time I don't know if they carry as much of an attacking threat as they did previously.

I probably still fancy Leeds more to win this because they are at home, but Newcastle showed plenty of fight against Bournemouth last week and this will probably end up in a draw too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United host Newcastle United with both teams yet to suffer defeat in this season's Premier League.

Leeds' unbeaten start continues the streak of resilience that was evident in the second half of 2025-26, notably after head coach Daniel Farke's much-heralded switch to a back three last winter.

Farke's side have lost just one of their past 12 games in the league (W5, D6), a run stretching back to mid-March, and which only two other top-flight teams can match.

After Saturday's draw at Brighton, where they had suffered an abject 3-0 defeat last season, Farke spoke of his side playing "with confidence" and being "much more settled now".

The new signings have also bedded in well, in particular Tarik Muharemovic, who has had to fill the sizeable shoes of Pascal Struijk – the Bosnian has made 16 headed clearances so far, joint-top of the Premier League standings alongside Sunderland's Dan Ballard. And he used his head at the other end of the pitch to score his first Leeds goal in the midweek Carabao Cup defeat by Chelsea.

Elland Road is always a tough place to visit, and Leeds held Newcastle to a 0-0 draw there last season, in contrast to the seven-goal epic on Tyneside in the reverse fixture.

In only three seasons previously have Leeds avoided defeat in each of their first four Premier League games, the most recent of which was in 2001-02, when they went on to finish in the top five for the fifth year in a row.

A return to those heady days might not be imminent but a quarter of a century later, there is a sense that the optimism is back.

With a win and two draws, Newcastle have an identical Premier League record to Leeds this season, but they have scored – and conceded – twice as many goals.

The Magpies have scored twice in all three of their Premier League games so far, despite having had just eight shots on target in total. Their four shots on target in the past two league matches have produced four goals.

They are overperforming their xG (3.01) by three goals, which shows clinical finishing from the few opportunities they have had, but that is unlikely to be sustainable over the course of a season.

Furthermore, while Newcastle might be making the most of their chances, their opponents are not. The Mapgies have faced a division-high 61 shots (an average of 20.3 a game) yet have conceded just four goals.

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet, reporter and commentator Adam Pope was alongside Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix to discuss his recent chat with the Whites managing director Robbie Evans.

Pope said: "He [Evans] spoke for the best part of an hour to the local press. The mood was really good, as you'd expect because they'd instigated this sit-down on the back of the window, so I think it's fair to say the mood was 'look, we're on the back of a really good window'.

"It was a good window and a good deadline day. That was the context in which this was done."

Pope said one of the key headlines was the discussion around Daniel Farke's contract situation, on which Rix added: "I think it'd be naive to think there have never been any negotiations.

"I've said that I didn't think it was a worry that it hasn't been signed, even with the year left. I don't think that's a problem."

Listen to the full Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

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Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans says the club and boss Daniel Farke are "on the same page" as they look to agree a new contract.

Farke, who guided Leeds to a 14th-placed Premier League finish and an FA Cup semi-final last season, after winning promotion from the Championship in 2024-25, is in the final year of his current deal.

The Whites have taken five points from three league games this campaign, and Evans said the German had done "a fantastic job".

"As far as the contract discussions themselves, I've had really good chats with himself and his team for the past three months," Evans added. "They are all on the same page.

"Unlike signing him back in 2023, or doing a deadline day deal, the time pressure is far reduced. We have time to get it right as far as what he wants and what we want. I don't feel it is taking a long time.

"As long as we are still operating together as a group - and we are doing great on that front - I'm not worried.

"The short answer is that he has done great. We want him to be here long-term and we are working on it."

Leeds brought in James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic, Nico Elvedi, Melvin Bard, Harry Wilson and Jean-Matteo Bahoya this summer.

Evans added that he was "thankful" the club only needed to sell one player to come into line with the financial regulations.

"I was pretty confident coming into the year that we would have to sell some guys in June," he said. "Frankly, it was the FA Cup run and the minimal work in January that kept it to just one player."

Read the full article here

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet from BBC Radio Leeds is available to listen to now.

The Whites' managing director, Robbie Evans, has been speaking to Adam Pope, who explains what was discussed alongside Jonny Buchan and Simon Rix.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Leeds goalkeeper Michael Zetterer doesn't need "too much sympathy" after the 6-3 defeat by Chelsea on Wednesday, says boss Daniel Farke.

The 31-year-old joined the Whites on a season-long loan in the summer and arrived at Elland Road with experience playing in the top flight of German football for Frankfurt and Werder Bremen.

Farke believes the Zetterer knows he could have done things better in the loss at Stamford Bridge.

"Michael has played many games on Bundesliga level. He has played Champions League and it's a nightmare debut, let's be honest," he said.

"But in this moment you feel a bit also for him. Who wants to have such a debut? So difficult. Of course he knows that in one or two scenes he could have tried perhaps even a bit more, like for the second goal, at least try to jump and dive."

Farke added: "Sometimes in life you have the worst possible start that you can have and then there is already a bit of weight and pressure on your shoulders.

"But it's also like [Premier League footballers] are all leading a privileged life. They have a proper salary, and you know they are football players on a permanent level, and they also don't need too much sympathy.

"Everyone, all the players, all the staff members, coaching staff, Ed [Wootten] as a goalkeeper coach, have all seen during training what a really good goalkeeper Michael is."

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Newcastle at Elland Road (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Farke confirmed Joe Rodon remains out but he has "no new injury concerns" and "it seems like everyone else is available".

• Reflecting on Tuesday's thrilling 6-3 Carabao Cup exit at Chelsea, he said: "It was a crazy game. It happens sometimes, especially in the early round of the cup when there are many changes. Football games sometimes develop in this way and overall there were very tight statistics. It was tough to take because we wanted to go to the next round but I think it was a risk we had to take because some players needed rest and some needed important minutes. We have already drawn a line under it and we have bigger games ahead."

• Farke was asked about Noah Okafor's decision to step back from international football: "He came to inform and I appreciate he spoke to me. It is Noah's decision and he knows what is best for his career. We have a home here for Noah where he is appreciated. It's sometimes beneficial for a career. We take the best out of it and make sure he concentrates even more at the club and he can use the international breaks to recharge."

• More on Okafor's impact: "Noah was a key player for us especially at the end of last season. He has this X factor where he can take players on with unbelievable pace and he has quality in the end product. He has had a difficult pre-season and can't play 90 minutes every game. Sometimes after 60 or 70 minutes we have to look after him. There's more to come from him and I'm looking forward to having him at 100%."

• Farke said it was an "obvious" and "good" decision to keep the West Stand at Elland Road open this season during stadium expansion works: "We are just in the second year after promotion, we need the support for our home supporters. The stadium plays a big part in why we have an unbelievable home record and we need that again. Also for financial reasons it is beneficial for the club."

• On 21-year-old winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya, who is yet to make his debut after arriving on deadline day: "He is very young and we have to prepare him physically for Premier League level. He has unbelievable skill and pace. He can hurt teams but we have to make sure his all-round game is prepared for the top level. We are working hard with him. He is a top guy and is working very hard in training. Football is different in Germany and France - here it is more physical and intense."

Hit play above to hear more from Farke or listen on BBC Sounds here

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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

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We asked for your views on Leeds United's 6-3 Carabao Cup third-round loss at Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: Very good performance from us for 55 minutes with a much-rotated squad. The momentum of the game changed 180 degrees when the referee incorrectly awarded Chelsea a penalty. Daniel Farke was a bit slow to react to Chelsea's substitutions, allowing them to take control of midfield for a crucial 15-minute period. Leeds regained some of the momentum for their third goal, but Chelsea rode their luck for the late goals. 6-3 flattered the home team. Poor debut for Michael Zetterer, who has got off to a poor start with the fans. Overall, it's one of those 'forgive and forget' games.

Andy: Farke doesn't make changes soon enough. At 2-2, we're still in it; at 4-2, we're not. Too little, too late - as usual. And the keeper - I haven't got words for that performance. We still need a decent number two because he was shocking. Congratulations to Chelsea, though. Six goals is something special.

Ian: Excellent first half, totally bad second half. Simple as that.

Jonny: James Trafford has just become our most important player overnight. This second-half performance from Michael Zetterer gave me Paul Rachubka against Blackpool flashbacks.

Stuart: Crazy game, but we were in control until the referee decided we shouldn't be! It was never a penalty, and the one on Noah Okafor was nailed on. Disgraceful!

Adrian: As soon as Leeds went 2-0 up, Farke should have made three or four substitutions to get his strongest team on the pitch. You should always change from a position of strength if possible, and this seemed glaringly obvious to me, especially with the next game not until Monday and it being early in the season.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, speaking to Sky Sports: "A bit of a crazy game. Sometimes it happens when there is loads of changes.

"We played with confidence. There was not even a chance for them. Then the referee decided to give a penalty. Nobody was asking for it. All of a sudden, their players came into the game. The momentum was on their side. Situations can change the whole momentum of the game."

On whether the penalty was the sole reason they lost: "No, of course, it wasn't one incident. We had to defend moments better. It was a very equal game. The focus and detail could have been better. We tried to come back, but small, small details made the difference today."

On a possible contract extension: "No. Nothing to speak of."

Listen to more from Farke above or on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Brentford should have been awarded a penalty at Leeds United for Jayden Bogle's challenge on Kevin Schade, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has said.

But the KMI Panel voted that the decision did not reach the threshold for a video assistant referee intervention, so Neil Davies was correct not to send referee Tony Harrington to the pitchside monitor.

Bogle stood on the boot of the Brentford attacker inside the area in the 66th minute of the teams' 1-1 draw at Elland Road last month.

The Bees led 1-0 at the time and could have had the opportunity to double their advantage.

The KMI Panel voted 4:1 that Harrington should have given the penalty, but supported the VAR outcome 3:2.

"There was foot on foot contact instigated by Bogle with enough contact for a penalty kick," the KMI Panel noted.

"However, given the high threshold for VAR intervention, the panel felt the referee's call should remain on field as it wasn't a clear and obvious error."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Some of you have been in touch using our Ask Me Anything form on Leeds United.

Derek asked me why Leeds have not signed a striker to deputise for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and wonders if the Leeds recruitment team have been short sighted.

I can say I don't think it was for the lack of trying Derek. Daniel Farke was clear that he wanted to add two or three senior and proven players to his attack. Harry Wilson obviously came in while Mikhailo Mudryk did not, so the latter slot was replaced with the potential of Jean-Matteo Bahoya. When it comes to another centre-forward I really think it comes down to affordability of a player who can improve the squad.

Ipswich Town paid £20m for Burnley's Zian Fleming which seems a reasonable price for a 28-year-old with Premier League experience. However, he will probably start for them whereas at United he would be third choice. Be honest, in this summer's market were you able to buy a top quality striker for anything near a sensible price?

Also, the new Squad Cost Ratio parameters make it slightly more difficult for Leeds United in the short term to spend on signings after shelling out big fees for James Trafford and Tarik Muharemovic, whilst admittedly selling Pascal Struijk. You also have to factor in the cost of the improved contracts for senior players like Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle and the lift in the salary level.

You can send your Leeds questions to our form

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Mykhailo Mudryk became the first player to move from Chelsea to Tottenham in 17 years and the first loanee to join Spurs from Chelsea since 1992.

The Ukraine international, 25, has since returned to action, making his first competitive appearance in more than 21 months as a substitute in Roberto de Zerbi's side against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Upon joining, Mudryk reiterated that De Zerbi, who managed him at Shakhtar Donetsk, was his "football father".

However, a move to north London was not a realistic option until the last few days of the window.

Spurs had previously explored moves for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and then-Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with Richarlison set to move in the opposite direction to the Toffees.

However, Liverpool opted to keep Gakpo, while neither Ndiaye nor Richarlison agreed personal terms despite the clubs reaching an agreement. Ndiaye ultimately joined Manchester City instead.

Meanwhile, Leeds United were favourites to sign Mudryk.

Their proposed deal included a loan fee, full wage coverage and penalties if the attacker was not played.

Leeds had at least two offers rejected by Chelsea during talks that lasted more than two weeks, but remained hopeful of completing a deal because they were Mudryk's preferred destination.

Brentford also explored the possibility of signing Mudryk, having previously attempted to acquire him in 2022, but wanted an affordable option-to-buy clause that Chelsea were unwilling to include.

Leeds were blindsided when Chelsea and Spurs held club-to-club talks over deals for both Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo on the same day, helping reduce the size of Chelsea's squad at a crucial stage of the window.

The agreement for Mudryk also included a £75m option to buy. While that option is considered unlikely to be exercised, it is expected to establish a high benchmark for any asking price should Chelsea decide to sell the attacker next summer.

Ultimately, the Yorkshire club instead completed a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Jean-Matteo Bahoya, using an extended deal-sheet deadline to secure an initial loan move with an obligation to buy, just before the window shut.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Farke said there's "a little question mark" over Daniel James as he "reported an issue with his back after the warm-up at Brighton". He added: "The scan results were good. We have two more sessions [so] if he comes through those then he is hopefully available. Carefully optimistic."

• Farke confirmed there will be some squad rotation against Chelsea to help "integrate new players". The German also said he wants Leeds "to be difficult to predict and tactical".

• "It's possible" that goalkeeper Michael Zetterer will make his Whites debut in the cup, but they "won't make a decision before the training session this afternoon".

• Farke added that James Trafford could also retain his place in goal as he continues to work towards "finding his rhythm" at the club.

• On how Harry Wilson has performed in the opening three games: "We play with a different style of football to Fulham so it's normal that he would need time to adapt. I'm happy with Harry. He's a top professional."

• On how Leeds are approaching the Carabao Cup: "We will try to win it. It's the quickest way to some glory."

• On opponents Chelsea: "They are probably favourites, but we want to be competitive. We have to be ready for a very demanding game and be prepared for different scenarios. Be respectful, but have no fear."

Listen to live commentary of Chelsea v Leeds United on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 and BBC Sounds on Wednesday

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