BBC pundit rages at ‘poor’ Keylor Navas moment in Leeds United first half v Nottingham Forest
BBC Sports pundit Clinton Morrison slammed Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas for his “poor” mistake against Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday [4 April].
Forest took the lead in what is a crucial encounter in the Premier League relegation battle when Orel Mangala calmly slotted the ball past Illan Meslier but Jack Harrison equalised just eight minutes later when the former PSG goalkeeper spilt Marc Roca’s shot into Harrison’s path.
Leeds took the lead through Luis Sinisterra’s impressive strike on the stroke of half-time and Morrison on duty for BBC Sport [4 April] in their Radio 5 Live commentary for the game, raged at the Costa Rican for his goalkeeping clanger.
He said [4 April, 20:08]: “That’s poor. I don’t understand what he’s doing, he’s parried it back into danger. Parry it away!
“For his [Navas’] standards as a top goalkeeper, that’s really poor goalkeeping.”
Great response
The impact Javi Gracia is having on the Leeds United team has been keenly felt and his side responded brilliantly to Forest going in front, and had Navas to thank for his uncharacteristic clanger that you’d rarely associate with a world-class goalkeeper who has played for both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Whether it’s down to the pressure he’s feeling along with his Forest teammates or the raucous atmosphere at Elland Road, the Whites won’t mind that such an experienced head is creaking under the West Yorkshire pressure.
The Whites had been the dominant side despite Forest’s lead and duly deserved their equaliser. Gracia will have been encouraged by his side’s performance so far but the Whites will have to be wary with Forest being so dangerous on the counter.
Sinisterra’s goal to put the Whites ahead was simply superb in a first-half performance which will have delighted the Elland Road support.
Let’s hope for more clangers to go in the way of Leeds United as they push to secure their Premier League status.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever to his debut after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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