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Lee Ryder

Newcastle United players told to find 'X-factor' in crunch clash at Leeds United

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United will not overreact after their defeat against Arsenal and keep things in context ahead of the clash at Leeds.

Newcastle could move six points ahead of Liverpool if they beat Sam Allardyce's side and could need just one more win to secure Champions League football. On the flip side, a defeat at Leeds would give Liverpool the chance to go level on points with the Magpies if they beat Leicester City in their next game.

Howe said: "At this stage of the season with four games to go for us, absolutely have to be measured, I have to be, I think, very positive. I don't think there's any time for negativity to creep into my psychology or the players' psychology.

READ MORE: Newcastle United 0-2 Arsenal player ratings: Nick Pope star man but others struggle

"I'm proud of the players today. I know the result went against us, but you could see the effort and commitment of what we tried to deliver."

Howe felt that the only thing missing from his players was the X-factor, on a day in which the woodwork was rattled twice against Arsenal. Howe reflected: "It was a high-quality game, it was end-to-end, it was open, but we were just missing that X-factor today, that missing part of our game.

"We hope against Leeds in our next game that we deliver that together because we have a tough run of fixtures to come and we need to get some results to get over the line."

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