Leeds United showed resilience and heart to secure a 1-1 draw against Brentford on Sunday. But it seems referee Tony Harrington is now attracting the headlines.
Brentford outplayed Leeds in the first half and could have scored more than one goal before the break. However, Fark made the necessary changes and the home side fought back in the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the 79th minute to ensure Leeds didn’t lose their first home game of the season, and the points were shared at Elland Road.
However, many feel Brentford were denied a two-goal lead midway through the second half when referee Tony Harrington waved away a penalty appeal for a foul on Kevin Schade.
Read More: Alan Pardew slams VAR after Leeds United incident: “It was definite…”
Shay Given hammers the referee on MOTD
Sky Sports presenter Don Goodman insisted on Saturday that if Tony Harrington had blown for a penalty, VAR would not have overturned the decision.
However, Shay Given insisted that the referee didn’t need a VAR intervention as he was very close to the incident, and it was a clear penalty.
He stressed that it doesn’t matter that it was a light touch; Jayden Bogle clipped Schade’s ankle, and it would have been given a foul anywhere else on the pitch.
Given said on MOTD: “This is a penalty, whatever day of the week or whatever team you are playing against.
“Tony Harrington, the referee, is five yards away.
“I think it was a penalty and I think it would have been a long way back for Leeds at 2-0 down.
“Keith Andrews would be frustrated that it wasn’t given.
“Doesn’t need to be a fully forced tackle. It’s a clip on the ankle, and anywhere else on the pitch, that’s a foul.
“For me it’s a penalty, and the referee doesn’t need VAR to tell him that.”
Read More: Don Goodman makes controversial penalty claim against Leeds – “would have been given”
Leeds deserve some luck after last season
Daniel Farke’s side were on the wrong end of some very dubious refereeing calls last season, which prevented them from finishing higher in the table.
Leeds had to endure some terrible refereeing calls and some dubious VAR interventions while ensuring that they remained safe in the Premier League.
Maybe Bogle fouled Schade on Saturday, and maybe Brentford were denied a win at Elland Road by a poor refereeing decision.
But it doesn’t take anything away from the grit and heart Leeds showed on Saturday against a Brentford side that has been flying at the start of the season.
