Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United in the Champions League on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

It finished all square as Bayer 04 Leverkusen drew 2-2 with Newcastle United in an entertaining clash. The hosts took an early lead in the 13th minute when Bruno Guimarães unfortunately put the ball into his own net, assisted by Robert Andrich, giving Bayer the edge after a solid start following their recent wins over Manchester City and Benfica. But Newcastle, coming off a mixed run with a loss to Olympique Marseille but three wins before that, fought back strongly after the break.

Anthony Gordon levelled things up from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, shifting the momentum as Newcastle began to dominate. They then went ahead through Lewis Miley in the 74th minute, assisted by Gordon, capitalising on their recent good form with back-to-back victories. Bayer, who had suffered a heavy loss to Paris Saint Germain not long ago, showed resilience with a late equaliser from Alejandro Grimaldo in the 88th minute, assisted by Ibrahim Maza, ensuring they picked up a point to build on their draws against PSV.

The game was evenly matched on the ball, with Bayer edging possession at 51% to Newcastle’s 49%, suggesting neither side could fully control the tempo despite Bayer’s slight advantage in corners at nine to six. Newcastle looked more threatening in transition, racking up 75 successful dribbles compared to Bayer’s 40, which helped them create chances on the break, while both teams picked up two yellow cards each, keeping things feisty but without any reds to change the flow.

Substitutions played a part too, with both sides using four each – Bayer brought on Christian Kofane for Patrik Schick at half-time, Nathan Tella for Ernest Poku in the 71st, Claudio Echeverri for Malik Tillman in the 85th, and Loïc Badé for Arthur in the 90th, while Newcastle introduced Lewis Miley for Joelinton in the 60th, Jacob Murphy for Harvey Barnes in the 78th, Jacob Ramsey for Anthony Gordon in stoppage time, and Yoane Wissa for Nick Woltemade late on. Newcastle converted their one penalty, and each team recorded one assist, underlining a balanced contest where big moments decided the draw rather than outright dominance.

The breakthrough came early for Bayer when Bruno Guimarães scored an own goal in the 13th minute, assisted by Robert Andrich, putting the hosts ahead in a scrappy opening spell. A VAR check on Patrik Schick in the 21st added tension, but it was after the break that things heated up, with Anthony Gordon slotting home a penalty in the 51st to draw Newcastle level amid yellow cards for both sides, including one for Aleix García right around that time.

Newcastle’s substitute Lewis Miley, who came on for Joelinton in the 60th, made a huge impact by scoring in the 74th with an assist from Gordon, turning the game in their favour. Bayer responded late through Alejandro Grimaldo’s 88th-minute goal, assisted by Ibrahim Maza, after Ernest Poku had picked up a yellow earlier and been replaced by Nathan Tella in the 71st, while a late yellow for Aaron Ramsdale in the 82nd kept the pressure on as the hosts pushed for the equaliser.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen lined up in a 3-4-2-1 shape, which allowed them to build from the back with players like Alejandro Grimaldo pushing forward to good effect, as seen in his late goal. Partnerships in midfield, involving the likes of Aleix García who picked up a yellow, helped control spells, while up front Patrik Schick started but was replaced by Christian Kofane at half-time after a VAR incident.

Newcastle United set up in a 4-3-3 formation, giving them width through players like Anthony Gordon, who was key with his goal and assist before being subbed off late for Jacob Ramsey. The midfield trio, including Joelinton who made way for Lewis Miley in the 60th, provided energy, with Miley’s introduction proving vital for their second goal, while Harvey Barnes started on the wing but was replaced by Jacob Murphy in the 78th.

Coral’s Man of the Match goes to Anthony Gordon, who was electric for Newcastle with his goal from the penalty spot and an assist for Lewis Miley’s strike, plus creating one big chance and delivering a key pass that kept the visitors in the hunt. His all-round performance stood out in a tight game, showing why he’s such a threat even before he was replaced by Jacob Ramsey in stoppage time.

Recent Champions League matches:

• Draw: 2-2 vs Newcastle United (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Manchester City (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Benfica (A)
• Loss: 2-7 vs Paris Saint Germain (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs PSV (H)

Recent Champions League matches:

• Draw: 2-2 vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Olympique Marseille (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Athletic Club (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Benfica (H)
• Win: 4-0 vs Union Saint-Gilloise (A)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have just drawn 2-2 at home to Newcastle United, leaving them in 20th place on nine points after a run that includes wins over Manchester City and Benfica but also a heavy defeat to Paris Saint Germain and a draw with PSV. They’ll look to climb the table when they face FC Köln on 2025-12-13 at 17:30, with a win potentially pulling them away from the lower spots, though their opponents’ position and points are yet to be confirmed.

Newcastle United have just come away with a 2-2 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, sitting them in 12th on ten points following a loss to Olympique Marseille but strong wins over Athletic Club, Benfica and Union Saint-Gilloise. They’ll aim to build on that momentum in their next fixture against Sunderland on 2025-12-14 at 14:00, where three points could help solidify a mid-table push, with the opposition’s current standing and points still to be confirmed.

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