Leeds United 2 Newcastle United 2
Two-goal Alan Shearer's predatory instincts spared Newcastle's blushesjust when it appeared as if a surprise Leeds victory was on the cards at Elland Road today.
Shearer poked home an 88th-minute equaliser as he continued his phenomenal scoring record against a Leeds side who have simply never found an answer on how to handle the former England international.
It was rough justice on Leeds for they displayed the hallmarks which have characterised so many United sides of the past and for 75 minutes Premiership title-hopefuls Newcastle foundered in the face of sheer hard work and tenacity.
Manager Peter Reid's side confounded critics and bookmakers alike as they appeared anything but one of the pre-season favourites for relegation, which they only narrowly avoided last season.
Goals from Mark Viduka and Alan Smith cancelled out Shearer's opening penalty to provide Leeds supporters with fervent hope a campaign Reid has already stated will be hard, will not go down to the wire as it did just three short months ago.
Sir Bobby Robson's side are expected to challenge for both the Premiership title and Champions League this season, yet the talent-laden Magpies were found wanting as they had little answer to good old-fashioned grit and determination.
A miserable pre-season of six matches without a win, culminating in last Sunday's shocking 2-0 defeat to Eircom League side Shelbourne, was but a memory.
The most eye-catching performance came from debut-making Lamine Sakho, a loan signing for the rest of the season from Marseille.
Playing on the left wing now Harry Kewell has departed to Liverpool, the 25-year-old could be a shrewd signing if he continues to live up to the potential he showed against Newcastle.
Sakho was involved in almost every incisive Leeds move, that was once the boos and derogatory chants had been dispensed with towards Lee Bowyer, making an Elland Road return alongside Jonathan Woodgate.
While Woodgate, sold to Newcastle for #9million at the end of January's transfer window, was given a fine reception by Leeds supporters, Bowyer's welcome was in stark contrast.
The midfielder, who snubbed a new contract offer and joined West Ham for a pittance seven months ago, was derided when he played for the Hammers upon his initial return in February, and the same followed on this occasion.
But Sakho turned the supporters' attentions away from Bowyer, first firing at the diving body of Shay Given after being superbly put through by Seth Johnson - although the linesman's flag had been raised.
Just over two minutes later Sakho delivered a piercing cross with his right foot, finding Viduka for a flick down into the path of Smith, but from close range the 22-year-old struck a half volley over the bar when he should have tested Given.
The trio combined again in the 17th minute with a Viduka free-kick knocked down by Sakho for Smith to hook narrowly wide a dipping right-footed shot from the edge of the area.
But the home side's bright start was undermined in the 20th minute when Shearer scored his 18th goal against Leeds, this time from the penalty spot after Lucas Radebe clearly clipped Kieron Dyer in the area.
Referee Alan Riley had played a fine advantage in leading up to the spot-kick award for as Gary Speed started a move which involved Bowyer, Craig Bellamy and then Dyer, he was caught late by Jason Wilcox.
After Wilcox then received the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Laurent Robert, Leeds showed they had heeded Reid's pre-season warning not to let their heads go down when falling a goal behind.
They pressed and forced Newcastle into a mistake deep inside their own half, resulting in a fine flighted pass from Morris finding the livewire Sakho on the edge of the area.
His control allowed Sakho to lay the ball off for Viduka, who scored 22 last season, to drive home the equaliser beyond the diving Given in the 24th minute.
Leeds maintained their form and shape after the break and in the 57th minute a mistake by Olivier Bernard allowed Smith to intercept a headed backpass before driving home the second goal.
Reid's side, though, sat back in the closing stages and it was to their cost. After Paul Robinson and Radebe had kept at bay Gary Speed and Shearer, the latter was not to be denied.
Reid brought David Batty into the fray late into the second half, the midfielder making his first senior appearance at this level for 16 months.
But with three minutes remaining, an Aaron Hughes cross into the area took a deflection on its way through to Shearer who poked home goal number 19 against Leeds.