The less that is said about Leeds United’s display last night the better. When it mattered, the Whites buckled under the immense pressure and weight of expectation at Elland Road and will face yet another season in the Championship. It could have been different, though, had Gaetano Berardi not got himself needlessly dismissed.
RED CARD: Berardi, second yellow. 78th minute. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 15, 2019
As defeats go, this is the toughest the Elland Road faithful have had to stomach for a long time, and it will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans for months to come. Part of the reason for that is because it was so avoidable. Even after a catalogue of errors, at 3-2 down they were set for extra time before Gaetano Berardi lost his rag and got dismissed, and from there it was always going one way.
Had Marcelo Bielsa’s side been able to limp through to full-time at 3-2, 3-3 on aggregate, anything could have happened. But no, Berardi, who was dismissed three times in the Championship last season, picked up his sixth red card in Leeds’ colours and condemned his side to defeat, as with ten men the fourth Derby goal, the winning goal, was always going to be on the cards.
You can see what the Whites made of Berardi’s sending off here:
https://twitter.com/haydnpsmith/status/1128764857740865538
Always been a ticking time bomb beradi
— jon winter (@jonb4g) May 15, 2019
I give up
— James Jaffray (@jaffacakes1984) May 15, 2019
Should of had jansson on 20 mins ago!
— Nathan Phillips (@NathanP92) May 15, 2019
It was always going to be him. Another liability. Jansson has been warming up for 20 minutes. Should have been on ages ago.
— ░T░H░I░N░K░E░R░T░O░N░ (@thinkerton01) May 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/SupremeJansson/status/1128757361873752066
https://twitter.com/matt_sleep/status/1128759917299535874
Huge liability never can control his temper more of the same from him only this time it has cost Leeds United Club fact.
— Bren ♣️ (@brenmcdaid) May 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/redskinsfanuk/status/1128757644032786432
End his careers how he started it
— Damon Chandler (@damonlufc88) May 15, 2019
The Whites were absolutely livid with Berardi and will take comfort from the fact that last night was most likely the last time he’ll kick a ball for them.
