Gary Monk has blamed referee Graham Scott for ending Leeds United’s three match winning run.
A 2-0 defeat to Newcastle was a blow to the momentum that Monk had been building in his side after a slow start to the season.
Leeds had two strong appeals for a penalty waved away by Scott with the second, against a handball by Jack Colback the stronger claim.
Two goals from Dwight Gayle separated the teams at the final whistle but Monk believes that his side had been denied the chance to really test Newcastle’s resolve.
“The game was decided on critical moments, to be honest with you,” the Leeds boss said.
“Against a side who are top we competed very well. Our attitude and commitment to what we were doing was very good.
“I just felt we got on the wrong side of those critical moments and had we not, we would probably have got a result.
“In my opinion it’s a clear-cut penalty (Colback). I’ve had many penalties given against myself or my team for much less than that. It was a clear-cut penalty but those critical moments, we fell the wrong side of today.”
Despite Monk’s protests the points headed for the north-east to complete a good weekend for Rafa Benitez with his side now five points clear at the top of the table.
Brighton’s draw at home to Aston Villa on Friday night allowed Newcastle to go further ahead with their eighth consecutive league win.
