Ally McCoist could not believe Willy Gnonto going down under the challenge of Cardiff City defender Tom Lang on Sunday afternoon – as the Leeds United star looked to win a penalty for his side during the third-round FA Cup clash.
Gnonto, 19, saw out the entire 90 minutes on Sunday in what was an up-and-down clash against the Championship side. The Italy international clocked up what was only his eighth appearance for Leeds – and played a crucial part.
Indeed, Leeds went into the break 2-0 down after an appalling first 45 minutes. They rallied in the second half and Gnonto had a part to play in both goals. It was his short corner to Sam Greenwood that saw Rodrigo head home.
Then, it was his work on the left-hand side that saw him feed a low cross into Junior Firpo – who flicked the ball towards goals. Sonny Perkins getting a toe on it, to divert past Jak Alnwick. But Gnonto was booked in the first half.
Indeed, going past Lang – who was on a yellow card – Gnonto went to ground very easily. The referee was not fooled, and as Gnonto got back up – he gave Gnonto a yellow for diving. McCoist criticised him during comms on ITV Sport.
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“If he’s dived it’s madness, and he has. He’s got the beating of the full-back there. he does really well and then he just goes to ground. Lovely feet, but that’s ridiculous,” McCoist said on Gnonto’s decision to go down, on Sunday.
McCoist could not believe Gnonto as Leeds star looked to win a penalty
Gnonto was easily our best player on the day. Max Wober impressed off the bench, Junior Firpo was superb from left-back and surprised many. Rodrigo came on and scored, but then missed a penalty and the chance to score his 12th.
But it was a poor decision to go down. Gnonto had skinned Lang and had the chance to pull the ball back and find a teammate. However, the thought of the Cardiff defender on a yellow card might have tempted Gnonto to go down.
