Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Sun 26 April 2026 17:40, UK

Leeds United star Pascal Struijk had a moment to forget against Chelsea, as Ally McCoist suggests the defender was at fault for the opening goal of the contest.

The Whites lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and missed out on the chance of meeting Manchester City in the final of the competition.

Chelsea took the lead through Enzo Fernadez’s bullet header, but it was Struijk who failed to win a long ball that led to Calum McFarlane’s side scoring first.

The Dutchman has been reliable for Daniel Farke this season, and has even been linked with a move away from Elland Road, with Premier League clubs said to be interested.

However, Struijk’s mistake against Chelsea was as low a moment as he might have had this season, if McCoist’s suggestion is anything to go by.

Ally McCoist disappointed with Pascal Struijk’s mistake vs Chelsea

Leeds had some poor performances against Chelsea, but they were always fighting an uphill battle once Fernandez gave the Blues a crucial lead in the tie.

Struijk will know that he should have dealt with Chelsea’s long ball better, and may not be able to forget this game in a while, as McCoist suggests.

While speaking live on TNT Sports during the match, McCoist admitted that Struijk should have done far better than he did for Chelsea’s goal.

The pundit said: “Joao Pedro wins it far too easily. Struijk will not want to see that one back. Take nothing away from the cross and the finish, but Struijk can not be losing that there.

The 26-year-old had a 0 per cent ground duel win rate and lost six of his aerial duels, too. He was far from his best and may take some stick from fans.

Did Daniel Farke just send Jaka Bijol stern message?

Farke took two defenders off at the break versus Chelsea, and if somebody told you that after Struijk made his mistake, you’d have thought he would be the one who was taken off.

But the Leeds boss opted to take James Justin and Jaka Bijol off, with Anton Stach and Joe Rodon coming in as replacements.

• Justin won 0% ground duels
• Bijol won all four of his aerial duels

However, Stach for Justin seemed like the right call to make, but taking off another centre-back seemed confusing, especially given Bijol didn’t put a foot wrong.

The Slovenian is a natural central defender, and unless he was struggling with a niggle, then his substitution should raise eyebrows.

The Whites face Burnley in the Premier League next, and if Bijol is dropped for no apparent reason, then there could be a developing story there between him and Farke.