Rothwell incident ‘horrible’ as Sky replays Leeds v Middlesbrough controversy
Lee Hendrie slammed Anfernee Dijksteel for his “horrible” challenge on Leeds United’s Joe Rothwell as Middlesbrough lost 3-1 at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Dijksteel, 28, was booked by referee Ben Toner after a late lunge on 29-year-old Rothwell in the 80th minute, leaving the Bournemouth loanee writhing in agony on the floor.
While former Aston Villa star Hendrie believes it was a bad challenge by Dijksteel, he can understand why the Boro man had an issue with Toner’s decision as it appeared that Manor Solomon fouled him just moments before.
“There was actually a little tug back on Dijksteel,” said Hendrie on Sky Sports Main Event (09:38pm, 10 December).
“I know that it’s a late one on Rothwell but look, Solomon just grabs his arm here and pulls him back. That’s why he’s asking Ben Toner.
“But, listen. That’s a blatant, horrible tackle and that’s why he’s got the yellow card.
“You can see why he’s asking because he thought he should have had a free-kick himself.”
Should Leeds star Solomon have been punished?
Solomon did pull Dijksteel back.
The Middlesbrough player was running at the Leeds defence and with the Whites a goal ahead, it was worthwhile the Israel international to commit a cynical foul to stop the away side’s momentum.
Instead, what he did worked out better than he would have ever imagined because he did pull Dijksteel back, ruined his run and kind of forced him into a foul on Rothwell as he started to lose control of the ball.
It was unintentional dark arts by the Tottenham loanee.
Even if the referee made the call to give Middlesbrough a free-kick, would it have led to anything other than a yellow card for Solomon? Probably not.
Daniel Farke’s men were the better team throughout the night and could have easily scored more than the three they did get.
Leeds are back at the top of the Championship and it’s hard to see someone finishing above them come the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, this £30,000-a-week player looks finished at Elland Road – much to the relief of Paraag Marathe.
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