Pascal Struijk called out for ‘very odd’ moment spotted vs Man City, it sums up Leeds United mess
Chris Sutton called out a “very odd” moment involving Pascal Struijk during the first half of Leeds United’s defeat to Manchester City.
Leeds were beaten 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the pressure continues to grow on manager Daniel Farke.
City went into half-time two goals ahead through goals from Phil Foden – inside a minute – and Josko Gvardiol.
Leeds were dominated for 45 minutes, so much so that the visiting players were seemingly happy to only be two down at the midway stage.
And while the Whites showed great resolve to fight back to 2-2, they shipped late on to see all their hard work undone.
Chris Sutton spots strange Pascal Struijk moment at Etihad Stadium
Man City were the overwhelming favourites to beat Leeds, but they were certainly made to work hard in what was a vastly improved second-half showing.
A number of Leeds players struggled to get going at the Etihad Stadium and 2-0 was a fair reflection of how the first half transpired.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, pundit Sutton pointed out an unseen moment involving Struijk that pretty much sums up where Leeds are right now.
“We’ve just seen an incident where Pascal Struijk was in absolutely no rush to pick the ball up and roll it back to his goalkeeper to get on with the game,” Sutton said.
“His team are losing – and yet he seems content with going in 2-0 down. Very odd.”
Farke was clearly not happy with what he saw as a double change was made at the break, which saw Leeds shift to a five-at-the-back formation.
And that initially paid dividends thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, but Foden’s second snatched all three points for City.
Leeds United stay 18th in Premier League
Burnley were beaten 3-1 by Brentford elsewhere on Saturday, meaning the bottom three remains as it was.
The worry for Leeds is that West Ham, who they are level on points with, play Liverpool in their game in hand on Sunday.
| Position | Team | Games played | Points | GD |
| 17 | West Ham | 12 | 11 | -10 |
| 18 | Leeds | 13 | 11 | -12 |
| 19 | Burnley | 13 | 10 | -12 |
| 20 | Wolves | 12 | 2 | -20 |
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, host Brighton and there is a risk that a gap could form on the sides above Leeds.
A point at the Etihad would have been a huge result, but it wasn’t to be. And with each passing game, the situation is becoming more and more bleak at the bottom.
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