If Patrick Bamford could take penalties like Callum Wilson, Leeds United could feel more confident of playing Premier League football again next season.
A thrilling game that left Sam Allardyce joking that he needed Valium was overturned in the 28th minute when Leeds were awarded a penalty to go 2-0.
You sensed jitters around the ground as an out of shape Bamford got up and their worst fears were acknowledged when his effort was saved at a comfortable height by Nick Pope.
It sparked a massive change with Leeds gifting Newcastle a few spot-kicks, which Callum Wilson ruthlessly brushed aside for a 2-1 advantage.
A fortuitous late equalizer from Rasmus Kristen at least saved a point for Leeds but not the three they needed to climb out of the relegation zone.
Callum Wilson netted two penalties as Newcastle drew 2-2 with Leeds on Saturday afternoon
Luke Ayling fired the relegation-threatened side in the seventh minute at Elland Road
Allardyce now needs something from another former club West Ham on Sunday but will go to east London without defender Junior Firpo whose killer performance yesterday was capped by a late red card for a foul on Anthony Gordon .
I needed two Valiums when I came out to calm down,” Allardyce joked after a frenetic afternoon.
“We deserved the win and we would have done without the stupid penalties we gave. We shot ourselves in the foot quite often, but we also showed that by removing mistakes, we can win games.
“It’s our fault that we missed a penalty and got two away. Anyone can do it, but it happened to us at the worst possible time.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe left knowing his side are still third with Champions League qualification in their hands.
But his enjoyment was tainted by being jostled by a supporter who had encroached into the technical area towards the end.
Patrick Bamford squandered the chance to come back to two just after the hour mark
Wilson did what Bamford couldn’t – and kept his cool from the penalty spot moments later
“It was a weird game with a lot going on,” Howe said. “You fear the worst at 1-0 and a penalty. So when you go ahead, you feel like you should win’
Regarding the incident with the supporter, who was taken away, Howe added: “He confronted me and said something that I cannot repeat.” Moments like this make you think. The safety of players and managers is paramount.
“I don’t know if I had time to be afraid. It was over in a flash. No one should fear that their personal security will be violated. I’m glad there was an intervention – I wouldn’t have imagined my chances!
Everything was pretty breathless from the first whistle. After seven minutes, the roof nearly went off Elland Road when Bamford’s cross was headed in on goal by Rodrigo and Pope extended a strong left hand.
Before the home support could get frustrated, skipper Luke Ayling rushed to convert the rebound and lost his bun so wild the resulting celebrations were right around the corner.
The sheer rowdiness temporarily rocked Newcastle who remain third with a draw.
Leeds left the ball to them, Leeds waited patiently – then should have pounced.
When Firpo burst into the box and Joelinton’s clumsy challenge pinned him down, referee Simon Hooper had an easy decision to point to the spot.
Bamford had missed his last penalty against Arsenal in October and a keeper at Leicester three weeks ago. This time his effort wasn’t strong enough and Pope parried to his right then walked away.
It looked as if someone had popped the ball inside the stadium and three minutes later Newcastle were level with their own penalty.
Isak and Bruno Guimaraes played a brace and as the Swede surged forward, Firpo slipped and Max Wober tried to redeem himself with a reckless challenge that hit him.
Wilson did what Bamford couldn’t and buried his penalty in the corner.
Miguel Almiron nearly gave the visitors a half-time lead and Allardyce was relieved to hear the whistle so he could regroup and send in Adam Forshaw for youngster Sam Greenwood.
With the stakes rising, Bruno Guimaraes and Junior Firpo have been warned. Firpo could have seen red for his tackle on Guimaraes.
Allardyce sent on Willie Gnonto much to the delight of the home fans just after one hour but before the Italian could make an impact they conceded another penalty.
In his attempt to carve a cross aimed at Isak at the far post, Firpo arched back and the ball hit his outstretched left hand. VAR spotted him and Wilson ignored Robles’ attempts to put him off by pointing the corner smashing his finish down the middle.
Newcastle believed they had scored a third goal through Alain Saint-Maximin, with Howe claiming they were told in the technical area that he was on the line before VAR ruled that Isak had been absent from the build-up.
Leeds then had the chance to equalize Leeds after 79 minutes with a huge slice of fortune. Bamford had two attempts blocked before Kristensen fired from just outside the box to shoot Kieran Trippier and Pope in the corner.
The ending was as crazy as what had happened before. Firpo saw red after coaching Anthony Gordon. As Trippier lined up the resulting free kick, a fan was dragged away by the stewards after disturbing Howe.
Seven minutes of added time saw Robles saved from Fabian Schar but Leeds’ 10 men held on.
Allardyce later admitted, “Time is running out. I hope it goes over and we can play Tottenham on the last day with something for us.
“We have to cross our fingers that our rivals don’t win because it’s not in our hands.”
Wober can expect rollocking from his manager. “The first penalty is disappointing. We’ve been talking all week about staying upright in the final third,” Allardyce said. “We give goals. He believed he could win the ball, but he didn’t.
