Newcastle United came back from a goal down to lead Bayer Leverkusen but conceded a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw during their Champions League league phase match. Anthony Gordon scored from a penalty and Lewis Miley headed in the winner before Alejandro Grimaldo struck in the 88th minute at the BayArena. The result leaves Newcastle two points outside the top eight with two games remaining.
Match Overview
Bayer Leverkusen hosted Newcastle United in a crucial Champions League league phase encounter on December 10, 2025, at the BayArena in Germany. The Premier League side started poorly, conceding an early own goal, but mounted a comeback in the second half only to drop points late on, extending their trend of conceding eight goals after the 80th minute this season.
Key Moments
The game began with Leverkusen taking the lead in the 14th minute. A corner from the left was headed back across goal by Robert Andrich, deflecting off Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for an own goal.
Newcastle had a scare soon after when Malick Thiaw fouled Patrick Schick in the box, but VAR overturned the penalty, ruling it just outside. Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick sailed over the bar.
Leverkusen pressed in the first half, with Ernest Poku and Jarrel Quansah forcing saves from Ramsdale. Five minutes into the second half, Newcastle equalized. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken hesitated on the ball, allowing Nick Woltemade to pounce and win a penalty. Anthony Gordon converted confidently to make it 1-1.
Gordon nearly scored again, hitting the post with a driven shot. Substitute Lewis Miley then gave Newcastle the lead, heading in Gordon's cross after a Poku shot deflected wide.
Newcastle created further chances, with Thiaw denied by Flekken and Jacob Murphy striking the post. However, in the 88th minute, Grimaldo fired past Ramsdale to level the score at 2-2, denying Newcastle a vital win.
Post-Match Reactions
Anthony Gordon expressed frustration to TNT Sports: “I don’t know [how the game slipped away] but it’s happening too many times, to be honest. ... We need to be stronger, we need to be better.”
Manager Eddie Howe added: “We haven’t defended well enough today. ... It leaves us in a good position [to qualify in the top eight].”
The draw positions Newcastle 12th, two points off automatic progression, with upcoming matches against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain. Leverkusen sit 20th, one point behind.