Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted he was “struggling for words” after his side had two goals disallowed in controversial offside calls at Middlesbrough.
Daniel James’ early strike was enough to send Leeds back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship summit with a 1-0 win but Leeds were on the end of two questionable decisions.
Ao Tanaka struck at the back post in the first half and although the offside flag was raised, replays showed the Japan midfielder was onside.
A similar situation occurred after the break when Patrick Bamford found the net against his old club, but that goal too was swiftly chalked off.
Farke admitted post-match that the decisions were tough to accept and called for the assistant referee in question to be “protected” after suggesting the same official has disallowed offside goals for Leeds in recent games.
He said: “I’m always on the side of the referees because I know it’s a really difficult job, but I’m struggling today. Two disallowed goals, when it’s a tight goal – perhaps the second goal for Patrick was tight.
“What I’m really struggling to find some proper words for, that we have the same assistant referee who has ruled out in the last eight weeks three regular goals offside for us.
“If they were difficult to see, I could perhaps live with the score incidents, but if it’s always two, three, four yards – why do we keep sending this assistant referee to games for Leeds?
“I don’t say anything, but if there is perhaps a coincidence with mistakes against us, at some point you should protect him at least and send him to a different game.
“I’m not sure why he’s always the assistant for us and I’m not sure why in each and every game he rules clear goals out that should stand for us.
“I’m struggling for words because we are playing here for such a big reward, going up to the Premier League, it’s about millions of pounds, then we allow ourselves to have this level – not the referee, I’m always on the side of the referee – of assistant performances, I’m struggling with this to be honest.
“I always want to be understanding. I could make my life easier saying we’ve won the game, everything’s fine. Against Coventry we won the game, against Millwall… but if you always have to fight against adversity it’s difficult. It’s hard to accept.”
It was a frustrating evening for Middlesbrough, who put in an improved second-half display and had chances to level, but despite defeat they remain in the mix for a play-off spot with five games to go.
“We’re disappointed because it’s the result and I think it shows where we feel we are as a team,” Boro boss Michael Carrick said.
“It can’t derail us, it can’t knock us, it can’t affect the season.
“It doesn’t change the season in many ways, the season’s alive, there’s going to be ups and downs every week. We can’t expect to go on a run of always winning every game until the end of the season.
“It’s all to play for, we’re right in there and nothing changes from tonight.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
