Dermot Gallagher has told Sky Sports that he does not believe that Leeds United’s fourth goal away at Wolves on Saturday should have stood, with the former referee feeling that Marc Roca did foul Adama Traore.
Leeds, of course, go into the international break off the back of a dramatic win at Molineux. Javi Gracia’s men looked set to do their best to throw the points away after taking a 3-0 lead.
But after Wolves got two goals back, Leeds wrapped up the win in stoppage-time with Rodrigo dinking the ball over Jose Sa for our fourth.
Gallagher thinks Leeds goal should’ve been ruled out
However, Julen Lopetegui’s men were furious. And it is probably fair to say that plenty of Leeds fans have enjoyed seeing how many of the Wolves supporters have reacted to the officiating on Saturday.
Matheus Nunes was sent off. And the Wolves bench took a long time to calm down after the goal. That occurred after Michael Salisbury was sent to the screen by the VAR to review the goal after a potential foul on Adama by Roca.
The Spaniard did grab onto his countryman’s shirt. Nevertheless, Salisbury decided to stick with his original decision and award the goal.
It would have been a soft free-kick. But Gallagher believes that it should have indeed been ruled out.
“VAR intervenes correctly, and he’s sent to the screen. When I was watching it live I thought it was an opportunity for the referee to reverse his decision,” he told Sky Sports.
“He chose not to which is his prerogative, but I think a foul would have been a more acceptable decision.”
Wolves are right to feel annoyed – about one decision
Realistically, we would also be livid if that goal was given against us. But full credit for Crysencio Summerville and Rodrigo for taking advantage of the decision.
And what must be said is that Wolves were not the only side to have a dodgy decision go against them. Craig Dawson did incredibly well to stay on the pitch for as long as he did after a nasty tackle on Jack Harrison.
The penalty Wolves wanted was debatable. We could have had few complaints if Junior Firpo was penalised. But there were angles which appeared to show the left-back touching the ball. So it was likely to be a decision that VAR would not overturn either way.
Obviously, the fourth goal killed off Wolves’ hopes of getting anything from the game. But Leeds were already ahead at that stage and had a numerical advantage in terms of players on the pitch.
Wolves’ frustration is understandable given some of the decisions that have gone against them in recent weeks. And, in truth, it was a surprise to see Rodrigo’s goal stand.
But surely, it is fair to say that it was not the disgraceful display of officiating that some seem to be making it out to be.
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