Derby fume as Leeds survive playoff penalty drama
LONDON: Kemar Roofe gave Leeds a 1-0 win at Derby in the first leg of a feisty Championship playoff semi-final that saw the hosts angered after a controversial penalty reversal.
Roofe slotted home early in the second half for his fourth goal against Derby this season to reward a dominant display from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
But Leeds were left breathing a huge sigh of relief when referee Craig Pawson overturned his decision to give Frank Lampard’s men a penalty with 12 minutes to go after Jayden Bogle and Jack Harrison collided in the box.
Derby’s furious protests were in vain and they now need a second leg comeback at Elland Road on Wednesday, with no side ever reaching the Championship playoff final having lost at home in the first leg.
“If we all looked at it in this room some would say yes and some would say no. I get that. I’m just surprised a referee in a game of this magnitude has decided to play second fiddle to his assistant,” Lampard said.
Bielsa said he didn’t see the penalty call, adding: “I think it was a deserved win. We dominated the ball, we defended well and we created danger.”
It was the latest controversy involving Leeds and Derby this season. Leeds’ win over Derby in January was overshadowed by the ‘spygate’ affair after Bielsa’s admission that he had sent a member of his staff to “spy” on the Rams training the day before the game.
Leeds are looking to return to the Premier League for the first time in 15 years and they are on course for a Wembley final against Aston Villa or West Bromwich Albion on May 27.
Villa lead 2-1 after their first leg earlier on Saturday.