Cantwell scores after Leeds United pundit fumes at Tanaka decision vs Blackburn

Ao Tanaka was the victim of a "very harsh" penalty call as Leeds United went behind to a Blackburn Rovers spot-kick at Ewood Park, Jon Newsome has said.

The midfielder has impressed and become a popular figure since moving to Elland Road from Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer.

However, things did not start well for him in the game in Lancashire on Saturday (30th November), when he was penalised inside his area.

The Japan international challenged Blackburn winger Tyrhys Dolan after he had cut into the box from the right-hand side, and was adjudged to have fouled the 22-year-old.

Newsome though, felt Tanaka had been hard done by with that decision. Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, the former Whites midfielder said (13:49): "I think it's very harsh. I really do, I think the wide man knows exactly what he's doing, he cuts inside Struijk, Tanaka comes across it's a coming together, I've seen them given, but I've seen them get up off the floor and play on, but you can't change it now".

Todd Cantwell, who joined from Rangers in the summer, would subsequently fire home the penalty to make it 1-0 to Blackburn with his first goal for the club.

Daniel Farke disappointed with Leeds United penalty call

Football Insider Opinion

There will surely be an element of frustration for Tanaka around the penalty he conceded early on in this game.

It has been an excellent start to his time with Daniel Farke's side for the Japan international, becoming integral to their push for promotion, so he may see this as a blot on his copybook.

However, the Leeds man did not get anything on the ball when he made that challenge on Dolan, who he certainly did make contact with.

Given that came inside the area, he should perhaps not be massively surprised by the fact he conceded a penalty because of that.

Having found themselves behind again as a result of Cantwell's goal, that has highlighted another issue that the club may need to solve if they are to maintain their hopes of a return to the Premier League.

Even so, one moment such as this is ultimately not going to define his Leeds career, meaning Tanaka must now focus on bouncing back from this disappointment.

In other news, Leeds have been backed to sign a Brighton player by Paul Robinson.

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