Owen Hargreaves has told the Premier League’s coverage of Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday that defender Junior Firpo might have just cost his side £150million – because of his bizarre handball.
Leeds picked up a point against high-flying Newcastle on Saturday and it does keep the Whites alive, by the skin of their teeth in the race to avoid relegation. We need Liverpool to beat Leicester on Monday night at the King Power.
Luke Ayling’s goal got things off to a wonderful start. But a mad few minutes saw Patrick Bamford miss a spot kick, Callum Wilson showing him how it is done. Then, Firpo handled in the penalty area – in front of Alexandar Isak.
The decision saw him pick up the first of two yellow cards, being sent off in injury time. Hargreaves criticised the Leeds man for his decision to handle in the area – Wilson duly dispatching. He says it might cost Leeds £150m.
“He won the penalty, you see this a lot – player put their arms up in unnatural positions. You can’t do that. It could be a £150m handball. Can’t make mistakes like that. Big Sam is all about minimalising mistakes,” Hargreaves said.
Hargreaves: Leeds defender Firpo might have cost his side £150million
What was Firpo thinking? There is an argument to suggest that Isak does give him a little push and it puts Firpo off balance. But in this day and age, a handball like that is never going to be missed. A game Leeds could have won.
Whether it does cost Leeds £150m – who knows. Parachute payments certainly help ease the financial burden of relegation but in terms of a takeover, the value of Leeds will drop dramatically. Andrea Radrizzani remains in control.
We had the chances, but have to settle for a point. A missed penalty, and having to take a draw because of two mistakes from Leeds defenders in the penalty area. All against a side sitting in third. Attention turns to West Ham.
