Leeds United have capped off the season in the best way possible. Winning the Championship on the final day and hitting 100 points is certainly a way to end the campaign. This comes just days after Elland Road finally celebrated the club’s promotion.
The win did not come easy. Plymouth took a shock lead early in the game, when Sam Byram put the ball into his own net. It was an unfortunate situation; a shot had ricocheted off the bar and into Byram’s feet before going into the net. Unlucky for the fullback, who was handed a start due to injury to Junior Firpo. It took a while, but Wilfried Gnonto pulled on back early in the second half.
Plymouth did all they could to waste time late in the game, but Manor Solomon picked up the ball just inside the box and hit it past the keeper in the bottom corner. His strike in the 91st minute sealed the league title.
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Mark Clattenburg speaks on Leeds United disallowed goal
Credit: Imago Images
The day could have gone south earlier in the game. Leeds had a goal ruled out for offside. Manor Solomon played a ball through to Wilfried Gnonto, who put in a cross for Joel Piroe to finish. But to the shock of everyone, the linesman’s flag was up for offside. Replays later showed that Gnonto was clearly in an offside position and that the goal should have stood.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to LeedsUnited.News about the incident:
“Another offside situation that is upsetting Leeds United supporters,” Clattenburg said.
“Leeds thought they had scored but again were denied by the Assistant Referees flag. Replays show that the goal should have stood and now Leeds United are back in the Premier League will be happy that they will have VAR.
“I am still baffled why the Championship with so much money at stake, does not have VAR especially on offsides which are factual.”
Leeds survive poor refereeing once again
Leeds eventually managed to win the game, but imagine the fallout if the club had lost the Championship due to another poor refereeing decision. This is not the first time this has happened to the Whites; they had a goal ruled out against Middlesbrough over a month ago.
Mark Clattenburg is spot on, Leeds will be glad to go to the Premier League where VAR exists to correct some of these decisions.
Don’t know why he is baffled. If we had VAR in the Championship it would be harder for the EFL to cheat and keep their cash cow in the division. Ps…which in my mind is the best football league on the planet. I will miss it if I am honest
And the leeds p.ayer who double handed pulled the plymouth player to the ground following a break ? Ref waved play on. Big team refs again