Leeds United: Jermaine Jenas stunned by ‘really clumsy’ Weston McKennie vs Newcastle amid ‘lucky boy’ verdict
Jermaine Jenas thought Newcastle should have been awarded three penalties in the 2-2 draw at Leeds United due to a foul by Weston McKennie in the first half.
Both of the Magpies’ goals came from the spot as Callum Wilson converted after a Max Wober foul mid-way through the opening 45, and a Junior Firpo handball midway through the second, but in the closing minutes before the break the English forward was challenged by the Whites midfielder.
Jumping into his back to get his head to a high ball, the American risked contributing to another Whites implosion after going ahead early, but on a day where he was much-improved his luck held out and Simon Hooper didn’t give the decision, to the surprise of Jenas.
Speaking just before the start of the second half on BT Sport Jenas responded to Lynsey Hipgrave’s question as to if Newcastle should have got the award (13 May 1.31pm), saying: “I do [think so]. I think he was reckless, McKennie. This kind of fed into the whole thing that I think Leeds were a bit too pumped here.
“That’s really clumsy. Jumping on the back of any centre-forward in the box, getting nowhere near the ball, running straight into the back of them, I think he’s a lucky boy to get away with that one.”
Risky
McKennie has been under sustained fire from supporters as the Leeds United form collapsed, and his performances have been well short of what was needed at times.
But he looked much better against Newcastle in his favoured midfield three, and while he wasn’t necessarily worth more than £30million on this performance it was a positive sign.
Thankfully for him and his teammates, the one real moment of poor quality wasn’t punished, and his side was able to come back and rescue a point through Rasmus Kristensen.
It hasn’t saved the Whites’ season but it should provide a mental boost heading into the final two games of the campaign, to at least give them a chance.
At the same time it still feels like a potentially huge win passed up, to concede two penalties on the day while missing one when Patrick Bamford could have given the home side a two goal lead.
Firpo’s day also started quite well and then disintegrated, but McKennie put in a decent performance for the rest of the game, as Sam Allardyce’s men kept themselves in with a shout.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites ace was “furious”, and a coach had told a Sky Sports pundit he had been “sulking”.