It’s another game unbeaten for Leeds United, and that’s now seven without loss, despite facing Man United, Chelsea, and Liverpool twice in that run of fixtures.
Leeds have put an eight-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone after a brilliant weekend in which results went Leeds’ way. Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Burnley all lost.
Is Brenden Aaronson our best player at the moment? 🔥
Brenden Aaronson was excellent, and there were a handful of Leeds players who caught the eye, too. Left-back Gabi Gudmundsson, Ilia Gruev, Jaka Bijol and plenty more earned plaudits for their performance.
Joe Hart thought Aaronson should have been man of the match over Matheus Cunha, who was given the award after scoring an equaliser. But there was one player who has earned criticism since full-time.
Michael Owen hammers Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri
In his post-match press conference, manager Daniel Farke admitted that Perri’s form was “disappointing”. This is a player Leeds sent £15.6m on in the summer, to lure him away from Lyon to Yorkshire.
But he’s struggling. Simon Grayson recently made a joke about Perri’s kicking, and it is atrocious. Yet, Perri did make an incredible save to deny Lenny Yoro from scoring. But some are blaming Perri for the goal.
Had the former Crystal Palace loanee remained on his line, Cunha would have found it much harder to score. Yet, Perri came storming out. Paul Robinson has criticised him and now Michael Owen had his say.
Was Lucas Perri to blame for the Man Utd equaliser? 🤔
Paul Robinson was not happy with the Leeds keeper
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Owen said: “It was a well-worked goal. I don’t think the Leeds goalkeeper handed himself in glory there. I think the goalkeeper, if he stays back, he saves this.
“Cunha is stretching, sliding, he can’t get enough power on the ball. You need everything in your favour to score, but the goalkeeper has gone and made it easy for him. The goalkeeper gives him the goal.”
Stuart Dallas agrees with Michael Owen on Lucas Perri
Leeds icon Stuart Dallas was also on punditry duty for Premier League Productions alongside Owen, and the former midfielder agreed with Owen – describing Perri’s decision to come off his line as a “disaster”.
“The goalkeeper is no-man’s-land. Either come, come all out, or stay. He doesn’t need to come because Bornauw is there. Cunha is stretching for it. It’s a disaster from Perri if I’m being honest with you.”
There is now a question mark over whether Perri continues between the sticks, given Farke’s criticism of the Brazilian in the public domain. Many believe that Karl Darlow remains the better option in goal.
Leeds are next in action against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night, before the Whites go to Championship side Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup next Sunday.
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