Leeds United rollickings, Wolves technical area madness, trio’s bad day and off-camera moments - YEP 19/3/23
Leeds United at Molineux is a recipe for madness and though there was little method in their work at times, they still had enough to beat Wolves.
By Graham Smyth
A 4-2 victory, their sixth of the Premier League season,
drove Javi Gracia's men up from 19th to 14th in the table, highlighting just
how tight the relegation battle has become.
Goals from Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and
Rodrigo did the job but the goals didn't tell half of the story, with VAR
interventions and a pair of red cards for the hosts.
Jonny's dismissal for a horrible challenge on Ayling was
followed by unused substitute Matheus Nunes' sending off, in the technical
area, for anger aimed at an assistant referee.
Here's the YEP take on another madcap encounter at Molineux.
Good day
Crysencio Summerville
The winger came into a fractious, physical game and showed
his intelligence, using the ball brilliantly to relieve pressure and hurt the
hosts. He was creative but he was selfless, knowing when to give the ball and
when to carry it. It was a 10-minute cameo that became a 17-minute performance
thanks to all the stoppage time and his role was pivotal late on. The assist
for Rodrigo's goal was a just reward.
Rasmus Kristensen
The Dane has barely featured of late and, as a result, lost
his place in the national team. But he was brought on at an important time at
Molineux and within seconds had scored the third goal. Kristensen has come in
for praise from boss Javi Gracia for his attitude while not playing, but
getting on the pitch to play a big part in a victory will mean the most for the
right-back.
Bad day
Julen Lopetegui
The Wolves head coach raged at the officials and contributed
to the collective head loss in his technical area late on. When referee Michael
Salisbury was checking his monitor for the Jonny tackle, Lopetegui's screams of
'he got the ball' were directly contradicted by the replays. Some of his
post-game quotes, in a press conference that took place a long time after the
full-time whistle, betrayed emotions that were still running high.
Marc Roca
The Spaniard can be so good on the ball for Leeds but at
Wolves he really struggled in possession. At times his desire to take his time
and calm things down actually put Leeds under more pressure than was necessary.
His touch that led to Jonny's goal was poor.
Matheus Nunes
When Matheus Nunes earned a red card for directing his anger
at an assistant referee, without playing a minute, it was a terrible look for
the substitute. That he had to be restrained following the red card made it
even worse. He had Diego Costa, of all people, to thank for preventing him from
digging an even deeper hole.
Michael Salisbury
Missed things for both sides, needed VAR to correct him on
Jonny's red-card challenge, and generally gave the impression that he was
losing control of the game. Used his cards too liberally.
Off-camera
Wolves GK coach Tony Roberts nailing 30 and 40-yard shots
into the empty goal as he awaited his players, striking the ball beautifully.
Marc Roca sinking to the turf early on in the warm-up to
give his left foot some attention and the watching Leeds fans some
palpitations. It was a boot or sock issue, nothing to take one of Leeds' two
remaining senior midfielders out of action.
Mikel Antia and the back four huddling for a discussion
during the warm-up before some final attacking pattern work.
An outrageous bit of control from Cooper as the subs warmed
up, Kristensen's hands going to his head in mock disbelief. The captain then
had a playful admonishment for Archie Gray, who miscontrolled a long pass.
Bamford screaming at Aaronson in frustration when the
American failed to play him in. Wober screaming at Roca when he risked
possession carelessly. Javi Gracia screaming in frustration at the officials as
he went down the tunnel for half-time.
Ayling debate with Meslier in the wake of Wolves' first
goal. The right-back suggested his keeper could simply have stood his ground,
in his area, and caught the ball.
Substitute Struijk bringing an energy gel onto the pitch for
Wober as the game entered its final 10 minutes.
Cooper coming out to give Summerville some instructions as
the skipper warmed up on the sideline. Firpo coming out to the edge of the
technical area to encourage Rodrigo who was struggling with a slight knock.
The Wolves bench absolutely losing it with the officials in
dramatic late scenes, as VAR decided to let Leeds' fourth goal stand. In stark
contrast, Gracia getting his bench to sit back down, telling them to be quiet.
He did however engage in an animated debate with Moutinho.
Firpo and others sprinting onto the pitch at full-time to
celebrate in front of the fans. Leeds directors' saluting the team as they left
the pitch with the win.
