BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher rages at Joelinton after ‘Extremely Clumsy’ incident in Leeds United v Newcastle United
Darren Fletcher was baffled by Joelinton’s decision to fly into a tackle that led to Leeds getting a penalty in the 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
The Whites were 1-0 up thanks to an early Luke Ayling goal and were then awarded a penalty after Joelinton brought down Junior Firpo inside the box, which Patrick Bamford missed.
But while doing commentary on BT Sport 1 (13 May, 13:28) Fletcher declared the incident as “extremely clumsy” and was baffled at why he would make such a challenge when speaking with Lucy Ward.
“Terrific play down the left hand side and Newcastle just cannot get themselves organised,” Ward said.
“It was always a risk if you’re going to try and challenge there from Joelinton’s point of view. Little bit clumsy, got his legs tangled with Firpo.”
“In an age where there are lots of penalties that are borderline, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Extremely clumsy from Joelinton,” Fletcher responded.
Brilliant
People wondered what Sam Allardyce would be able to do with such a short window to try and change things at Leeds, but he’s proven it already.
He has united the fan base and made the team far tougher defensively, with Newcastle only finding the net because of two penalties from silly individual errors.
On this occasion the difference is a missed penalty and questions will be asked about why Bamford stepped up to take it when top-scorer Rodrigo was on the pitch, but a point is still positive.
Allardyce made it clear pre-game that it was a game they couldn’t lose and despite missing the penalty, losing the lead and going down to ten men they were able to battle back to claim a draw.
Two games to go and we’re still in it, that’s all we could have asked for at this point and now all eyes turn to the clash with West Ham next week.
In other Leeds news, the players love what Allardyce has done at Thorp Arch after Gracia and Marsch axed it.