Dire Leeds in Dyer straits as Newcastle pose a threat

Leeds United 0 Newcastle United 3

By the end, as Newcastle had advanced to within three points of catching Manchester United in second place in the Premiership, the match had taken on an unpalatable symbolism for Leeds supporters. Not only had their side been outplayed by the team who will soon enjoy the benefits of Jonathan Woodgate's defensive qualities but they had seen their defensive frailties ruthlessly exposed.

Two goals by Kieron Dyer – his first of the season – either side of Alan Shearer's 15th in the Premiership, franked the growing belief on Tyneside that Arsenal may have another United to be wary of in their march towards the title. Not that any of that concerns Leeds, whose supporters were giving full vent to their displeasure with beleaguered chairman Peter Ridsdale long before the final whistle, and continued their protests outside the stadium. It will not help to know that Newcastle's facile victory came between Champions' League assignments while Leeds, whose colossal investment in reaching the same level has so catastrophically backfired, can contemplate only an extended spell in the wilderness.

Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson observed afterwards, are in the same position as were Leeds three years ago. He acknowledged that similar risks go with their own involvement. "I don't think we would suffer the same fate but it is hypothetical, in any case," he said. "The reality is that we are in a position to play in the Champions' League again next season. It is in our hands. We have a game in hand on Manchester United and they have still to come to us."

Against any other opponent, Woodgate might yesterday have been making his Newcastle debut, needing only match fitness to complete his recovery from the hamstring injury suffered before he left Leeds. But a clause in his £9m sale prevented him from facing his former club.

After 20 minutes, Titus Bramble, the 21-year-old who Robson bought for half Woodgate's fee from Ipswich last summer, looked in pole position to give way against Chelsea next Saturday. His casual cross-field pass hit Alan Smith and ran straight into the path of Harry Kewell, who should have scored after skipping around Shay Given. Instead, he needed another touch, allowing Andy Griffin to block on the line. It was an important miss. By then, Newcastle, showing no obvious signs of fatigue after their journey to Germany in midweek, had taken the lead through Dyer. Laurent Robert crossed from the left, Shearer controlled with his chest and found Dyer to his left with time and space to get his balance and timing just right.

Both Shearer and Craig Bellamy had missed the Champions' League win in Leverkusen through suspension, and their freshness was to Newcastle's benefit. But Robson had lost Jermaine Jenas, who cried off late after a training-ground injury. Nonetheless, though Leeds had opportunities with headers, falling to Duberry and Lucas Radebe, Newcastle looked comfortable enough, Bramble's aberration apart, even though they had to defend for long periods. Eddie Gray, standing in for flu victim Terry Venables, replaced Jason Wilcox with James Milner at half-time, but within 10 minutes the contest was effectively over.

Dyer scored his second after 48 minutes, leaning inside Duberry to stroke the ball right-footed out of Paul Robinson's reach after Bellamy had been given time to collect, turn and distribute without hindrance. Then Shearer easily lost Duberry to nod home Robert's free kick from the left. Dyer missed a hat-trick by inches, rolling a shot against Robinson's right-hand post after leaving Danny Mills for dead with a clever turn.

Leeds United 0 Newcastle United 3
Dyer 17, 48, Shearer 54

Half-time: 0 -1 Attendance: 40,025