Taylor Harwood-Bellis in ‘Shocker’ in key Leeds United moment v Southampton
Andy Hinchcliffe called Taylor Harwood-Bellis “dreadful” Leeds United score in their 2-1 defeat against Southampton on Saturday 4 May.
Joel Piroe profited from a poor attempted clearance from the Southampton defender, who skewed Wilfried Gnonto’s cross straight into his path to lash the ball into the bottom corner.
On co-commentary for Sky Sports, Hinchcliffe slammed Harwood-Bellis for his part in the goal, which came just three minutes after Adam Armstrong had put Southampton one goal up.
“Well, what a response”, he said. “It’s a dreadful clearance for Harwood-Bellis, but credit Piroe who’s not been in great form.
“They have the ball, Southampton, I mentioned they have given a few goals away trying to play out from the back and losing possession.”
After Gnonto had pinched possession and put in his cross, Hinchcliffe added; “this clearance is an absolute shocker from Harwood-Bellis.”
Leeds United miss out on the Premier League
Leeds had started the brighter of the two teams at Elland Road, but were hit with a sucker punch after Che Adams’ cross from the left was squeezed all the way through for Armstrong to beat Illan Meslier from close range.
Daniel Farke’s side were straight back onto the attack though, and after Piroe and Sam Byram combined to dispossess Jack Stephens, the latter sent Gnonto careering into the Southampton box.
Gnonto’s ball was flashed across the face of goal and only half-dealt with by Harwood-Bellis, and Piroe fired a right-footed snap-shot into the bottom right corner.
However, that rather fortunate chance and goal was as good as it got for Leeds on the final day, who were caught out at the back by Kyle Walker-Peters late in the first half, and Will Smallbone was on hand to put Saints 2-1 up.
The second half remained goalless as frustrations grew both on and off the pitch at Elland Road, with the full-time whistle confirming that Leeds will face Norwich City in the dreaded Championship play-offs, rather than securing automatic promotion.
In other Leeds United news, a teenage sensation is now set to snub Manchester United in order to move to Elland Road.
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