'This one is mine' - Crysencio Summerville explains penalty dispute with Leeds United teammate Joel Piroe — YEP 2/4/24
The Leeds United winger took it upon himself to win it late at Elland Road.
By Kyle Newbould
Crysencio Summerville felt compelled to take the crucial
penalty during Monday's 3-1 win over Hull City after seeing his Leeds United
teammates miss chances of their own.
Summerville was the difference-maker on a tense night at
Elland Road as Leeds reclaimed their place in the Championship's top two. With
the score at 1-1 in the 88th minute, The Dutch winger raced past Tigers
full-back Regan Slater and was eventually brought down in the box.
Substitute Joel Piroe looked set to take the penalty and had
even placed the ball on the spot, but Summerville pulled rank and after a brief
disagreement which needed captain Ethan Ampadu to get involved, the 22-year-old
rolled his spot-kick down the middle to put Leeds ahead.
It was a moment that had those inside Elland Road biting
their nails but all was forgiven with Piroe joining in with the celebrations.
Summerville was outstanding all night and saw Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph and
Junior Firpo all come close before deciding to take responsibility.
“I felt good in the game,” Summerville told Sky Sports. “We
had a few chances and I thought ‘this one is mine’, so I took it and I’m happy
with the goal. Very big [result], we are undefeated at home so it's also a good
boost at home. I said the point away at Watford was very important and now to
take three points, amazing.”
That penalty put Leeds ahead on a tough night for Daniel
Farke's side, with Dan James securing all three points from distance as Hull
chased an equaliser. Tigers goalkeeper Ryan Allsop went up for a corner and
after some last-ditch defending, James curled a wonderful effort into an empty
net from near the halfway line.
Leeds were weakened by injury to Ilia Gruev and far from
their best, with Farke revealing after the game that Glen Kamara played through
illness while Joe Rodon had to take painkillers due to a back problem and Sam
Byram admitted he couldn't sprint after half-time. But three points saw the
Whites climb back into second on a must-win night, following victories earlier
in the day for Ipswich Town and Leicester City.
