Ethan Ampadu hailed for ‘brilliant’ Leeds United moment as Sheff Wed ace slammed
Leeds United had Ethan Ampadu to thank for a “brilliant” last-ditch challenge but Josh Windass should have done a lot better with a Sheffield Wednesday break, according to Andy Hinchcliffe.
The pundit, live on Sky Sports from Elland Road (19 January, 12:19), commented on the opportunity for the Owls to cancel out Manor Solomon’s third-minute opener but blasted Windass for taking too long on the ball.
Ampadu – standing in at centre-half for the Whites – recovered the space to take possession from the Wednesday man, helping to preserve the lead for Daniel Farke’s side.
“I don’t know why Windass delays there – just one touch and hit it,” Hinchcliffe lamented.
“It’s a brilliant tackle from Ampadu, but you shouldn’t be giving him the chance to make that challenge.
“It’s a brilliant ball from Bernard, but Windass takes too long, and Ampadu gets round on the cover. He’s trying to beat Ampadu rather than shoot.”
Leeds went on to win the game 3-0 on Sunday (19 January).
Leeds United boosted since Ethan Ampadu return
Despite his relatively young age of just 24, Ampadu exhibits a seniority and discipline beyond his years at Leeds United.
Farke adores him – and so do the supporters at Elland Road, for whom he was a huge miss when he spent a sustained period on the sidelines during the first half of the campaign.
With huge credit to the Whites comes the fact that they dealt with his absence pretty well, enabling the team to remain in the automatic promotion spots.
Also missing alongside him was central midfield partner Ilia Gruev, who is just beginning to make his return and appeared in a cameo role late on against Harrogate Town in the FA Cup (11 January).
Ampadu slotted in at centre-half alongside Joe Rodon for the visit of Danny Rohl’s side, with Pascal Struijk out injured; Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka were partnered from the start in midfield.
In other Leeds news, “explosive” details emerge over a forward target on the radar at Elland Road.
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