Paul Merson stunned by ‘unbelievable’ Raphinha in Leeds United v Brighton
Paul Merson was left stunned by Raphinha after the Leeds United star struck the crossbar with a free-kick in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Sunday (15 May).
Although Pascal Struijk was the unlikely hero with a last-gasp equaliser at Elland Road, it was Raphinha who’d come closer to scoring before stoppage time.
The 25-year-old had his free-kick seemingly touched onto the crossbar by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after his effort looked as though it was going in from around 30-yards out.
“Raphinha, you think he’s just going to bend it in and he hits it, what an effort,” said Merson on Sky Sports News on Sunday (15 May, 03:23pm).
“What a save by Sanchez. What a free-kick by Raphinha.
“Unbelievable.”
Best player?
While he wasn’t involved in Leeds’ stoppage-time equaliser against Brighton, Raphinha was easily the most likely player to make or score a goal.
The Brazilian seemed to have a lot of space and time on the right-wing at times.
We’re not a fan of him taking long throws, to be honest. While Jesse Marsch must feel like he’s stumbled across a tactical masterstroke, they just don’t work and we’d rather see our top goalscorer in and around the box than taking the throws at the touchline.
But away from that, Raphinha was all over the Brighton defence at times and did look as though he was always capable of doing something big.
Unfortunately, that free-kick was well-saved by a goalkeeper who was in good form on Sunday.
But Raphinha made his mark and played a role in a draw that could lead to Leeds’ survival.
Let’s hope that wasn’t his final game at Elland Road though.
In other Leeds United news, Joe Gelhardt has been told to quit Elland Road after a shock report emerged by The Telegraph.