Lisandro Martinez (Credit: Imago)
Leeds United had a moment their supporters will never forget on Monday night, as they defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Noah Okafor’s brace ensured the winger earned cult hero status at Elland Road after an exceptional performance from the 25-year-old inspired the Whites to a historic win.
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Former Man United players like Rio Ferdinand and even their manager, Michael Carrick, have since come out with a catalogue of excuses for their former side, including blaming the referee for controversial incidents such as Lisandro Martinez’s sending off for his hair-pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
With Man United launching an appeal to the FA over Martinez’s subsequent three match ban for violent conduct, Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan reacted to the incident live on talkSPORT.
Simon Jordan agrees with Lisandro Martinez’s dismissal
When Martinez was shown a red card, Leeds were already two-nil up, and could have been three goals up if Ao Tanaka managed to convert after rounding the goalkeeper on the brink of half-time.
Despite Martinez clearly intending to pull Calvert-Lewin’s hair, the incident has caused much debate, with former Liverpool midfielder Murphy arguing that the defender should not have been sent off.
“Carrick’s spot on, it’s never ever a sending off in a million years, it’s pathetic. It’s a ridiculous decision, and it should be overturned. All you’ve got to do is watch it back; he’s not even looking where his hand is.
“Any professional footballer says that’s a red card, I’d be amazed, gobsmacked… there’s no aggression or intent.”
Jordan disagreed with Murphy’s take and argued that Martinez should have been sent off for the hair-pull, even if Jordan did not feel like he did it intentionally.
“I think he intended to pull something. I don’t think he intended to pull his hair; in his ideal world, he grabs his shirt. In football, they shouldn’t be pulling at shirts and pulling at hair, so I do think he was pulling at something. I think it’s unfortunate, I don’t think he’s particularly yanked at his hair, but the fact is, he did yank something,” Jordan said.
“Do I think he should have got sent off because the rules say he should’ve got sent off, yes. Do I think that rule should carry a three-game ban, probably not.”
READ MORE:Leeds star Ao Tanaka linked with sensational move to emerging Premier League club – The Leeds Press
Data suggests Dominic Calvert-Lewin was impressive against Manchester United
Ignoring Murphy’s baffling interpretation of what happened at Old Trafford with Calvert-Lewin, the striker had an impressive performance to go alongside the fact that he was clearly fouled by Martinez.
In front of goal, Calvert-Lewin was wasteful, missing three big chances and amassing an xG of 1.32
Defensively, however, he was exceptional, with a crucial clearance off the line during the game
Calvert-Lewin also managed to win six duels during the game (Sofascore)
Whilst Leeds will want their talisman to be more clinical in their upcoming games, his work rate as well as his ability to help the team defensively make him an integral part of the Farke’s side, even when he isn’t scoring.
The upcoming game against Wolves at Elland Road on Saturday looks like an ideal opportunity for Calvert-Lewin to add to his tally of 10 Premier League goals this season, with the forward’s last league goal coming back in February.
READ MORE: FA make decision on Lisandro Martinez red card vs Leeds – This will cause outrage – The Leeds Press