By George Overhill

17th Sep, 2023 | 9:23pm

Dan James mocked by Sky Sports pundits in Leeds United win at Millwall

Dan James provided the “assist of the season” as he fell over and managed to scuff the ball into the path of Joel Piroe for a Leeds United goal, according to David Prutton.

The Sky Sports pundit, speaking live on the post-match analysis on Sunday (17 September) admitted he was being “slightly mischievous” as he, Jermaine Beckford, and Jobi McAnuff laughed at the Welsh winger’s misfortune in losing his feet when a goal of his own looked on the cards.

In the 3-0 victory at Millwall Piroe tapped home his second from close range in the 77th minute after Georginio Rutter had cut a return ball back to James in the area only for him to stumble and miscue his shot.

With all three pundits laughing, Prutton said (14.08pm): “Assist of the season so far does go to Daniel James. Sorry I’m being slightly mischievous when I say that, this could have ended embarrassingly for Leeds but it ended with the second goal of the game.”

Beckford replied: “It did indeed. Every time I watch that back the assist just gets better and better, I’ll be honest with you.

“Look, the spaces that Leeds United are creating in these instances, three against one, the ball falls to Dan James after a great set out wide to Georginio Rutter, and that’s going to be easiest finish for Piroe this season.

“Right place at the right time, that’s what he was doing at Swansea, and that’s one of the main reasons why Leeds United have bought him in, fantastic player.”

Calamity

James’ surge forward had created the chance in the first place as he drove towards the box before feeding it wide to Rutter, so he would have wanted to finish the move off himself.

A split second before his moment of glory he tripped over his own feet and only ended up diverting the ball towards the back post where Piroe tapped in from close to the goalline.

Ultimately for Leeds United there was no harm done, and given his likely importance to Daniel Farke’s side throughout this season it might be more beneficial for the summer signing to build as much confidence as possible early on.

But given James’ reputation for lacking nothing in terms of energy and work-rate, but plenty in terms of final product, it won’t have done anything to dispel those views.

It will be easy for the Whites to laugh at the Wales international’s misfortune on this occasion because it didn’t prevent them recording a statement win at The Den.

On more frustrating days in recent years it has been very different, but there are some distinctly positive signs developing for this team at the moment so the struggles of the past year can potentially be consigned to the past.

In other Leeds United news, footage has emerged after a journalist reported Millwall fans’ reaction to the third goal in South London.