Tyler Roberts mystified in Leeds United win v Birmingham

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

02 Jan 2024, 4:17 am

Birmingham attacker Tyler Roberts looked "mystified" after a challenge on Liam Cooper was deemed a foul as he returned to Leeds United for the first time since his exit.

The 24-year-old left Elland Road in the summer after making 108 appearances in Leeds colours, never really being able to find his feet in West Yorkshire due to injury.

The Welshman was seen shaking hands and joking with former teammates Ian Poveda and Junior Firpo before entering the field of play for just the fourth time.

"Once Roberts got onto the field he would collide with former skipper Liam Cooper too," Beren Cross wrote for Leeds Live on Tuesday (2 January).

"The collision was adjudged to be a Roberts foul and he was mystified with the decision. Cooper would give him a conciliatory pat on the back of the neck as he got back to his feet."

Injury-stunted career

Roberts was substituted on for just his fourth Birmingham City appearance at Elland Road since moving to the Midlands in the summer. This is evidence of his injury issues over the years, halting his development once again.

The forward scored nine goals in his four years at Elland Road, experiencing a semi-decent loan spell at QPR, scoring four times in 20 games, before leaving permanently.

There is clearly no bad blood between Roberts and the club, having gone straight over to the home dugout before Leeds kicked off against Wayne Rooney's Birmingham side, watching on as his former side pumped the Blues 3-0.

Without injuries, Roberts has the potential to be a star striker in the Championship, already boasting 20 international caps for Wales but has recently played no part for his nation due to injuries and incidents during Covid times.

Things have moved on a lot since his departure, though. With Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and fellow Welshman Dan James performing in attack, there will be nobody looking back to Roberts' time with Leeds.

In other Leeds United news, a key player wants his future sorted with a Championship move on the cards.

Leeds United

tyler roberts

Birmingham City