Match of the Day pundits Ashley Williams and Danny Murphy agreed that the referee got both penalty decisions right in Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The Whites were victorious thanks to their star man Raphinha, who scored a stoppage time spot-kick to ensure Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up just their third win of the season.
Leeds were awarded the penalty when Liam Cooper’s goal bound header hit the arm of Marc Guehi, which after consultation with VAR, was adjudged to have been in an unnatural position.
Speaking on Wednesday evening’s MOTD, Murphy thinks that the referees got the decision right and also praised Raphinha’s ability to step up under pressure.
He said: “Even Patrick Vieira admitted that it was a penalty, he understands the rules, the players do now, and they’ve got to be very careful.
“It was a super penalty in injury time under pressure. Six of their 13 goals he’s [Raphinha] got. He was the star of the show, it was a big relief for the Leeds fans because you could see the elation at the end, and it was a huge win for them given where they are in the league.”
Meanwhile, Murphy’s fellow pundit Williams was pleased to see Palace’s first half penalty shout waved away by Kevin Friend.
Jordan Ayew went down in the area after a slight coming together with Pascal Struijk, however the referee and VAR came to the decision that there was enough contact to award a spot-kick.
Former Swansea defender Williams believes that was the right call as he felt that Ayew went down too easily.
He said: “It’s no penalty for me. It’s not enough, it would’ve been very harsh on Leeds if that was given and I think Jordan Ayew is looking for it, he goes down a bit soft and I’m glad the referee didn’t give that because they’re the soft ones that you don’t want to see as it’s a contact sport and it’s just kind of a coming together.”
