Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has shared his verdict on the decision not to award Wilfried Gnonto a penalty in Leeds United’s draw at Norwich City.
The two sides played out a cagey play-off semi-final first leg encounter at Carrow Road with neither side able to find a breakthrough to take into Thursday’s match.
Daniel Farke sprung a tactical surprise by bringing Archie Gray into a midfield three in a clear ploy to solidify Leeds and ensure they did not return to Elland Road trailing.
With that change, though, saw very little in the way of goalmouth action for either team as the two teams managed just three shots on target between them, none of which tested either goalkeeper.
While Leeds do possess the slight advantage of being at home for the second leg, they will be feeling slightly aggrieved it wasn’t more due to a couple of refereeing decisions.
Dermot Gallagher delivers verdict on Gnonto penalty decision
Josh Ward – the referee who sent Illan Meslier off at Preston North End on Boxing Day – was tasked with two major decisions in the game, alongside the rest of his officiating team.
Junior Firpo’s disallowed goal was marginal at best, with Georginio Rutter having been adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
Leeds also felt like they should’ve had a penalty very early on when Gnonto was brought down under a challenge from Borja Sainz. Tom Lockyer and Billy Sharp were both in agreement it should’ve been given.
And speaking on the latest episode of Sky Sports’ News ‘Ref Watch’, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has now given his verdict on the decision and whether VAR would’ve intervened, had it been used.
He said: “I think it’s a foul. Whether it’s inside the penalty area or not, it’s difficult to say. The referee thinks that the Norwich player plays the ball. He doesn’t even give a foul.
“He doesn’t even give a free-kick. He genuinely thinks the Norwich player plays it because of his angle. Had there been VAR, I don’t think it would have been a penalty as I think the main point of contact is outside the box.”
Leeds can feel hard done by at referee performance
Those two aforementioned decisions were certainly 50/50, but for both to have gone against Leeds means they can feel hard done by.
Farke insisted he and his coaching staff found an angle that showed Rutter was onside, while there are also replays that show the tackle on Gnonto was inside the box.
Having said that, for him to be just a matter of yards away and to gesture that Sainz got the ball was laughable. Had he at least given a free-kick, it would’ve been hard to complain.
It is said these things will always find a way to balance themselves out and hopefully Leeds get more of the rub of the green on Thursday.