Chaos at Elland Road as a pitch intruder confronts Eddie Howe in the Newcastle technical area
Pitch invader CONFRONTS Eddie Howe in technical area during 2-2 draw with Leeds in a major breach of security at Elland Road… as the ‘surprised’ Newcastle boss admits it was the ‘last thing he expected’
- The man made his way to the dugout whilst Newcastle were taking late freekick
- Intruder reached Howe before he was led off by Elland Road security
- Concerns will be raised as to how the man was able to reach the technical areas
Eddie Howe was confronted by a pitch intruder during Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Leeds on Saturday afternoon in a major breach of security at Elland Road.
The man reached the technical area to put his hands on Howe before security reached the Magpies manager and led the man away.
The invasion took place just after 90 minutes of the match had been played, and against the backdrop of a crucial late freekick for the Magpies.
As Kieran Trippier’s effort was blocked by the Leeds wall, pictures showed the man approaching Howe before an intervention from the fourth official Graham Scott.
As the man was forced away, a number of members of the Newcastle coaching team tried to push the man back before he was grabbed by security.
Eddie Howe was confronted by a pitch intruder during Newcastle’s clash with Leeds
A swift intervention from the fourth official saw Howe shrug off the intruder, after being caught unawares
Member of the Newcastle coaching team helped Elland Road staff seize the pitch invader
When asked about the invasion after the match, Howe said: ‘That was a real suprise.
‘I was concentrating on the game, and that’s the last thing that you would expect to happen.’
The intrusion will no doubt raise concerns over how it was possible for the intruder to get as far as the technical area, much less man-handled the head coach.
On the Magpies had to be content with the single point won on the road, after Rasmus Kristensen’s edge-of-the-box strike levelled the score with ten minutes left to play.
Newcastle had previously put themselves ahead after two coolly-taken penalties courtesy of Callum Wilson, after Luke Ayling opened proceedings with a goal for home side in the first seven minutes.
The man was quickly led away but there will be concerns over how managed to reach the away technical area
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