Former professional footballer Chris Sutton weighed in on the controversial VAR decision that ruled out Leeds United’s late goal in their recent 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. The match at Elland Road was filled with contentious moments, including Lukas Nmecha’s opener for Leeds that underwent a lengthy VAR review before being confirmed.
Leeds United’s hopes of equalizing were dashed when VAR disallowed a potential goal just minutes after Morgan Rogers’ second for Villa. The goal was overturned due to a handball by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a decision that Sutton supported.
In a post-match analysis on Sky Sports on November 23, Sutton asserted the clearness of the handball incident, predicting that the goal would be overturned upon review.
Daniel James, who came off the bench for Leeds, delivered an impactful performance that caught the eye. While many of Leeds’ players struggled in the game, James emerged as a standout performer, adding an immediate attacking threat upon his introduction.
James almost secured the equalizer shortly after Villa’s second goal, displaying his speed and precision as he ran onto a pass over the top and struck a shot that deflected off Calvert-Lewin and into the net. However, video replays revealed that the ball had made contact with Calvert-Lewin’s arm before crossing the goal line, prompting a swift intervention from VAR to invalidate the goal.
The absence of James in recent matches has been a setback for Leeds and manager Daniel Farke, but his impressive performance as a substitute offers hope for the team’s future prospects. According to reports from Fotmob on November 23, James excelled on the field, showcasing his passing accuracy and threat on goal despite his limited time on the pitch.
The positive impact of James’ cameo appearance bodes well for Leeds and Farke, indicating that his full return to action could be a game-changer for the team, with the winger’s performance instilling confidence in his potential contributions to the side.
