Newcastle United: Benitez unhappy with Leeds' leveller on two fronts

Chris Wood’s equaliser with 94 minutes and 45 seconds on the clock ensured play-off chasing Leeds claimed a point in their own battle to stay in the top six.

But Benitez was frustrated that referee Chris Kavanagh had given the go-ahead for five extra minutes of play, having previously felt there was not enough time added on in the game with Wigan at the start of the month.

The Magpies are four points shy of leaders Brighton with four matches remaining after a night when Jamaal Lascelles –guilty of gifting Wood space to level – had given Newcastle a deserved 67th minute lead.

Benitez said: “I am pleased with the performance of the team, the commitment, the passion and the way we played, the chances we had. I am disappointed with the mistake at the end, I say at the end, in the 95th minute.

“Today was 95 minutes … it was very difficult for me to understand that. I don’t understand a lot of things in the last few games.

“Why did we have a penalty that took seven minutes and we only got three minutes at the end (against Wigan)? This was 95 minutes tonight. I don’t understand a lot of things in the last few games.

“We have to be proud of the players, but disappointed not to get the three points.”

In the referee’s defence there were six substitutes used and a couple of injury stoppages, including Ritchie going down. It was debatable whether there should have been five minutes added time, because a pitch invader arrived on the pitch after the board had already gone up.

Benitez added: “Have you seen anything special? The last time it was three minutes in the first half then we had seven minutes lost on the penalty incident and five minutes at the end when we were winning 2-1.

“You could see today another game with strange things. I am trying to focus on the team, we are a top side. We try to be correct all the time.

“I don’t want to talk too much about that (the pitch invader). I am not happy with things that were going on and that is it.”

Benitez then went on to add that it was “obvious” he was not happy with the defending at the end, when Newcastle failed to see the game out as Leeds carried one last successful attack.

But he said: “The way we were playing I was really pleased and proud. I will say again, if you analyse the last games, my understanding of the rules have changed a little bit. Everything.

“We created enough chances to win the game. The keeper was man of the match, but that is something we have seen a lot of times here. That is part of football. All the effort and good play we showed it is disappointing we only got one point.

“I am just so upset there have been so many games I have seen things I don’t understand, so logical I start to think about things.”

Newcastle are eight points clear of third placed Huddersfield, who have a game in hand in the battle for an automatic promotion spot.

Benitez, whose side go to Ipswich on Monday, said: “If we play in the same way we did today we can win any game. We have to keep this intensity and things will be different.

“For us it is the same thing, we have to keep winning games and that is. The priority is to go up, we have to win the games to do that and see where we are.”

Leeds boss Garry Monk was delighted with the finish, knowing the point has given his side a three point cushion over seventh placed Fulham as they look to finish in the play-offs.

Monk said: “It always feels better in one changing room than the other when you get a goal like that, it felt good. We expected to come here against a team we are sure will get promoted.

“Second half was very difficult for us. They are trying to secure their place, I think they will get it anyway, but I have to give credit to my young players. We had to show the quality in that single moment and we did.

“Our keeper was fantastic. He need to be resilient. I thought we defended dangerous situations really well too. I am sure Newcastle will get promoted in my eyes.”