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Garth Crooks names Diego Llorente in Team of the Week but rages at Leeds United incident v Watford
Garth Crooks was left seething at Watford’s disallowed goal in their 1-0 loss to Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Leeds claimed their first Premier League victory of the season at the seventh attempt via a goal from the returning Diego Llorente, who Crooks named in his Team of the Week.
However, there was controversy after Christian Kabasele’s effort was ruled out by VAR for a foul on Liam Cooper when it appeared to be the other way around.
“Boy did Leeds need this victory,” Crooks remarked in his verdict on the BBC Sport website. “The reaction by Diego Llorente was that of a striker and it was enough to seal the points – but it shouldn’t have. Yet again VAR gets involved in a situation it should not have got involved in and when it did it still got it wrong.
“What is the point of this system? Watford’s disallowed goal was incorrect and almost certainly contributed to their manager Xisco Munoz getting the sack hours after this result. It was Watford’s Christian Kabasele who was fouled in the box and the goal should have stood.
“I don’t know who was operating VAR but he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the technology ever again.”
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Got away with one
There’s no doubt that Leeds were fortunate to escape without conceding a goal against the Hornets.
Kabasele’s effort looked legitimate and the officials ended up bailing out Meslier and Cooper.
However, on the balance of play, it’s hard to say anything other than Leeds were well worth the three points.
Ultimately, it led to Munoz’s dismissal on Sunday, but no one could deny Leeds their first league win of the 2021/22 campaign.
It now sees Leeds heading into the international break in a positive mood, and enticing fixtures against Southampton, Wolves and Norwich City lie in wait following the resumption of club football, and Whites supporters can start getting excited again.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared a big update on Kalvin Phillips’ contract talks.