Gary Neville was critical of Leeds United gem Georginio Rutter during his role as co-commentator on Sky Sports on Tuesday for a moment in the first half – as Salford City beat Leeds United on penalties.
Rutter, 21, came into the match after scoring his first goal for Leeds on Saturday in a 4-3 win at Ipswich Town. Confidence high. He had a number of chances, only to be denied by ex-Leeds man Alex Cairns.
Including, a right-footed shot – low to Cairns’ right. But the boyhood Leeds man stopped it. Another ex-Leeds man in Matt Smith scored the opener, a gorgeous header past Karl Darlow into the bottom corner.
Late on, a poor free-kick from Sam Greenwood found a way to Pascal Struijk – who prodded home. It went straight to penalties. Salford finally progressed, with Rutter and Jamie Shackleton missing pens.
But it was a moment in the first half, with the score still at 0-0, that Rutter was criticised by Neville. Leeds broke, four on three, and Rutter had the ball – but he overhit it to Cree Summerville on the right.
“I don’t know about you Michael [Bridges], but I thought the timing and the weight of the pass from Rutter was poor there. It pushed Summerville far too wide,” Neville said, during the 15th minute.
Gary Neville criticises Leeds gem Rutter for first-half moment
So, it is now just two wins in six games for Daniel Farke. Solid display, in which Leeds could have scored seven or eight goals, and only managed one scruffy effort through Struijk. Clearly, we’re still a way away.
It was a poor display from Rutter but perhaps another sign to Farke that he simply is not a striker. But if there is one thing learnt from his overall performance – is that he’s not allowed to take another penalty.
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