Gary Lineker clashes live on air with BBC Sport pundit as ‘ridiculous’ Leeds United footage v Fulham emerges
Jermaine Beckford was fuming as Leeds United had a goal disallowed in the first half of their 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.
Georginio Rutter would have scored his first goal for Leeds in the opening stages of the FA Cup fifth-round showdown if it wasn’t for referee Chris Kavanagh blowing up for a foul prior to the ball hitting the back of the net.
Weston McKennie was adjudged to have pushed Fulham’s Harry Wilson in the build-up to the goal but Beckford believes it was a harsh decision by Kavanagh.
Speaking at half-time on BBC One on Tuesday night (28 February, 08:36pm), Beckford said: “No, it’s not quite [gone Leeds’ way].
“There have been a couple of half chances, a couple of really good opportunities.
“The disallowed goal was ridiculous if I’m being honest.”
Gary Lineker seemed surprised, saying: “Oh, okay.”
Beckford added: “It’s been a very evenly-paced game.”
Minutes later, Lineker said: “Jermaine, you said it was a ‘ridiculous’ decision but it looks like a bit of a push to me.”
Beckford replied: “But look, these things happen everywhere on the pitch. Absolutely everywhere.
“It’s genuinely soft but we’ve seen it happen multiple times in the game. There’s a little nudge in the back.
“I wouldn’t call it a shove.”
Lineker said: “I honestly think if the referee hadn’t have seen that, I don’t think VAR would have turned it over for a clear and obvious error.”
Joke
Beckford’s spot on.
If Kavanagh didn’t blow up for that then there’s no way VAR would have made him re-assess McKennie on the pitch-side monitor.
Little touches like that happen throughout the match and football has turned into a very soft game because referees are constantly suckered into rewarding simulation.
Wilson went down very softly. He wasn’t fouled. He was touched.
Rutter’s run without a Leeds goal cannot go on too much longer because it could start to affect his confidence.
There are already some rumblings about him on social media among Leeds fans who don’t have the patience to allow a young lad to become accustomed to his new teammates and our style of play, which has changed under Javi Gracia.
Rutter’s a young lad and he will come good but you have to question Victor Orta for signing someone who isn’t ready for when he need them most – right now.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has shared what he has been told about one transfer link for the summer at Elland Road already
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.