Mark Smith

Sun 20 September 2020 8:30, UK

Paul Merson has slammed the decision to hand Fulham a penalty in the 4-3 victory for Leeds United on Saturday afternoon at Elland Road.

The Cottagers were given a spot kick after Robin Koch was penalised for a challenge on Joe Bryan, his second penalty given away in as many games.

Koch didn’t appear to touch the marauding full-back, but after reviewing the decision, VAR stuck with the original call from Anthony Taylor.

Merson believed that Bryan dived, and instead should have been sent off after his deliberate attempt to win the spot-kick.

“Bryan goes through, and he dives,” he said on Soccer Saturday.

“He dives a week before Koch comes across, unbelievable – he should be sent off. It’s a reverse ball to Bryan, he goes into the box and Koch’s coming across, and as he’s coming across, Bryan’s having a look.

“He goes over, I can’t believe he’s give it. What am I watching? If it’s not, I’m definitely having these glasses changed cause I didn’t think it was a penalty.”

Looking at the penalty, it was a clumsy challenge from Koch, but as Merson said, he didn’t actually make contact with the Fulham player.

Bryan also took a shocking touch into the East Stand to get round the attempted challenge, so wouldn’t have got on the ball if he had stayed on his feet either.

It was a shame for Koch because, for 80 minutes of the game, he dominated the physical Aleksandar Mitrovic, but he still found chances to score two goals.

The German international won seven aerial battles, the most on the pitch and also a couple of tackles as he failed to be dispossessed according to WhoScored.

Koch is still settling in at Elland Road, and these three points will hopefully help that process and stop his 100% penalty ratio at the start of this season.

In other Leeds United news, Premier League giants ready to accept defeat as Whites enter talks with this defender

Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Whites and more exclusive content with Paul Robinson.