It has been an Easter weekend to forget if you are a Leeds United supporter, hasn’t it?
The Whites suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Elland Road to Wigan Athletic on Friday which allowed Sheffield United to overtake them in the Championship standings on goal difference after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
With both sides level on points heading into Monday’s fixtures, the pressure to deliver at such a pivotal time of the season was massive.
Although Chris Wilder’s Blades had the advantage of laying down a marker for their Yorkshire rivals, they knew that they had to be at their very best to secure victory against a Hull City team who were unbeaten in their last 12 at the KCOM Stadium.
A stunning first-half performance from United saw them fire in three goals without reply, a burst which allowed them to move three points clear of Marcelo Bielsa’s side ahead of their clash with Brentford. In need of a reaction to the Blades’ result, Leeds started their match in a positive fashion as they dominated possession at Griffin Park.
Pushing for the all-important breakthrough against the Bees, Patrick Bamford received the ball just inside the box and went down after being tackled by Julian Jeanvier. Despite there clearly being contact between the two players, referee Keith Stroud failed to award a penalty, a decision which bemused these supporters on Twitter.
Terrible refereeing.
— Chris Fletcher (@XrYzFlEc) 22 April 2019
Stonewall
— john (@john06128354) 22 April 2019
That’s appalling. Absolute concrete penalty.
— Jordan Braithwaite (@jinjey_247) 22 April 2019
Clearest penalty you will ever see
— Escape to Prague (@escapetoprague) 22 April 2019
Awful decision
— Jack Foth (@JFothergill6) 22 April 2019
Clear penalty
— Sean Naylor (@SeanDNaylor) 22 April 2019
Unbelievable that wasn’t given
— Charlie Brock (@CharIieBrock) 22 April 2019
How can that not be a pen. Just how.
— tony sharpe (@sharpetonys) 22 April 2019
Brentford then compounded Leeds’ misery as Neil Maupay fired in his 27th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time before Sergi Canos doubled his side’s lead which ultimately secured victory for Thomas Frank’s side.
With their hopes of securing automatic promotion now hanging by a thread, the Whites will be relying on Ipswich Town and Stoke City to prevent the Blades from finishing above them in the league standings.
However, even if United drop points in their next two fixtures, Bielsa’s men will have to overcome an Aston Villa outfit who have won their last 10 matches in the Championship under the guidance of Dean Smith.
