Leeds United: BBC pundit stunned by ‘weak link’ Junior Firpo beauty vs Sheffield Wednesday
Junior Firpo’s “beautiful” assist for Leeds United against Sheffield Wednesday on the stroke of half time delighted a surprised Jon Newsome.
The former player for both sides reacted live on BBC Radio Leeds, via the BBC Sport live blog on 8 March, after the Whites defender sent a delightful ball across the home side’s box, as Patrick Bamford pealed off Akin Famewu and knocked it in at the back post in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Firpo had a difficult first 45 minutes defensively after being restored to the starting XI but came up with a hugely important contribution just before the break on the way to a 2-0 victory.
Newsome said: “That’s a goal out of nothing. I just expected Junior Firpo to turn back inside and keep possession like he has all evening but he doesn’t, he opens up. It’s a wonderful ball across the six-yard box.
“Patrick Bamford is so sharp, so alive. It’s a great finish from him but a wonderful assist from Firpo. I’ve called him out for the last 40 minutes but I’ve got to give him credit for that – that was a beautiful ball in.
“I get accused of being too critical of Firpo but I say it as I see it. It was a beautiful ball but he can’t forget his defensive duties. He is the weak link, Sheffield Wednesday haven’t exploited that yet.
“That goal was a real lifeline for Leeds but a gut-punch to Sheffield Wednesday.”
Junior Firpo lays on Patrick Bamford goal for Leeds United after rough half at Hillsborough
Newsome wasn’t the only observer critical of Firpo’s performance in the first half so it was some turnaround for him to unlock a scruffy game at the crucial time.
The former Barcelona man has been regularly criticised in his time at Elland Road but has bounced back of late with some of his best Whites form.
After being rested for Sam Byram in the win over Stoke on Tuesday (5 March) after his latest fitness concern it looked like he was struggling to get up to speed again after he made a pair of mistakes to let Wednesday in on threatening attacks with the score goalless.
But he made up for it with the assist for Bamford, his fifth in the Championship since the start of 2024, the timing of which seemingly made a huge difference to the game as a whole as Leeds United were on top when the sides came back out and Willy Gnonto soon doubled the lead.
Despite the Owls’ league position this was a major hurdle for Daniel Farke’s side to clear given the form their opponents have been in of late and how tight it is at the top of the table.
Firpo was struggling early but deserves a lot of credit for rebounding to make such a crucial contribution as the Whites march on after a third game in seven days.
In other Leeds United news, an expected permanent Elland Road exit is now in doubt after the effects of a medical condition.
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