Garry Monk said three weeks ago "Newcastle won't win the Championship title, Norwich have a better squad."
Each to their own, but Newcastle put his team to the sword yesterday ... in their own back yard ... showing Leeds can forget about getting anywhere NEAR the Magpies in the promotion push.
Monk believes Leeds United were denied a clear-cut penalty in their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle.
The Magpies’ Jack Colback blocked a cross from Ronaldo Vieira with his elbow, but referee Graham Scott did not award United the first-half penalty, which could have seen then equalise following Dwight Gayle’s strike after 23 minutes at a sold-out Elland Road.
Monk says the denied penalty was clear-cut in his eyes, with him previously having experienced penalties being given for softer incidents than the apparent handball.
“The game was decided on critical moments. Our commitment was very good, but we fell on the wrong side of those moments. Had we not, we probably would have got a result,” Monk said, as reported by Yorkshire Post.
“I have had many penalties given against me and my teams for much less than that. It was clear-cut in my eyes.
“Your hands are raised, you are half turning your back. There is no need for an explanation. It is clear cut, but he did not give it.”
The result against Rafa Benitez’s side was the team’s first defeat in over a month, on the back of three consecutive wins over Norwich City, Burton Albion and Wolves.
Currently seventh in the table, Monk’s side take on Rotherham in on Saturday, before an EFL Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool at Anfield next week.
Newcastle, meanwhile, went five points clear at the top of the league with Sunday’s win.