'Not what Newcastle want to be' - Malick Thiaw issues apology for Leeds horror show

Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United appears dejected after the defeat to Leeds United(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw has issued an apology to the club's fans after the Magpies were thrashed 4-1 by Leeds United on Monday evening.

An own goal from Lewis Miley, as well as strikes from Jayden Bogle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor saw Matthias Jaissle's unbeaten start as Magpies head coach come to a brutal end, with Bazoumana Toure's first Premier League goal proving to be nothing more than a consolation.

Having not tasted defeat in their first five matches this season across all competitions, it was a chastening night in West Yorkshire for Jaissle's young side who were beaten convincingly in all facets of the game.

It meant United ended the evening in the bottom half of the Premier League table after four matches having known a win would have lifted them up to third in the table.

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And Thiaw, who captained the side for the fifth time this season, fronted up to journalists after the game to express his disappointment at a performance that was 'not what Newcastle want to be'.

"A lot of emotions, a lot of things going through your mind," Thiaw told reporters in the mixed zone after the game at Elland Road when asked for his reflections on the defeat.

"Obviously one is the disappointment. You take it personal. (I am) really, really, really, really disappointed tonight. You can just say sorry to the fans. How we performed, the result… it’s not what Newcastle want to be."

Thiaw was then asked if if it was inevitable for a young squad to have one or two tough defeats along the way across this season but the Germany international insisted that cannot be an excuse

"I wouldn't take this as an excuse because I think that’s the team we have," Thiaw responded. "It’s going to be this team this season so I don’t take this as an excuse.

"We still have quality. Overall, what’s more important than quality is attitude, the energy we have to bring. Leeds were just better than us today in these kind of terms."

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