Premier League make announcement for Fulham vs Leeds that once left Frank Lampard astounded
Leeds United travel to face Fulham this weekend in the Premier League.
Quite remarkably, this Saturday will see Leeds play at 3pm on a Saturday for the first time this season, when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Marco Silva’s Fulham.
Off the back of Leeds’ goalless draw against Newcastle, and a wretched end to the summer transfer window, Daniel Farke certainly needs a win to alleviate some of the concerns that have lingered throughout the international break.
Now, the Premier League have made a new announcement for the clash, and it will bring up a painful familiarity if Frank Lampard were to be made aware of it.
Craig Pawson set to take charge of Fulham vs Leeds
For the first time since Leeds’ 3-1 victory over Leicester City back in 2024, Craig Pawson will officiate the Whites’ encounter this weekend.
Pawson is one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League, though he was often called upon for the big matches in the Championship, one of which involved Leeds and Derby County.
Back in 2019, Pawson was the man with the whistle for the first leg play-off encounter between Marcelo Bielsa’s side and Lampard’s side, and one decision left the latter fuming.
Derby thought they had a penalty when Pawson pointed to the spot for a foul on Jayden Bogle, only for the decision to be overturned after a conversation with his assistant.
Lampard was fuming, and as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post at the time, he said: “Contact was minimal, but the astounding thing is that when the ref gives it, he’s the boss on the pitch, but he consults his linesman.”
How have Leeds fared with Craig Pawson in charge?
Dating back to 2012, Pawson has officiated 12 Leeds United games, with the Whites victorious on just four occasions.
Aside from the most recent win against the Foxes, the last time Leeds won when Pawson was in the middle was indeed that first-leg clash with Derby, over six years ago.
Since then, Leeds have suffered defeat twice to Liverpool, once to Tottenham and drawn with Brighton and Man United.
Surprisingly, Pawson is yet to dish out a red card in a Leeds game, and that will hopefully remain the same this weekend.
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