Keith Hackett reacts to Pascal Struijk goal controversy as Leeds beat Sunderland
Keith Hackett has responded to potential controversy surrounding Pascal Struijk’s equaliser as Leeds United beat Sunderland at Elland Road.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that an off-the-ball incident involving the goalscorer did not warrant it being disallowed based on Stuart Attwell’s previous decisions.
Daniel Farke‘s side looked to be heading for their first defeat in 15 Championship matches when Pascal Struijk popped up in the six-yard box to net the equaliser on 17 February.
The controversy arose amidst the pandemonium when replays showed the goalscorer nudging Sunderland’s Salis Abdul Samed to the ground before leaping for his header.
Despite this, the goal stood for the Whites, who waited until the 78th minute for any goalmouth action of their own, before Elland Road truly erupted in the dying embers of the game.
Struijk netted a dramatic Leeds winner in the fifth minute of added time to steal all three points away from the Black Cats at Elland Road, wheeling away in celebration while Regis Le Bris’ side left with nothing.
Pascal Struijk rises high above to break Sunderland hearts
Had VAR been in use at the time of the incident, it very much could have been disallowed based on the contact from Leeds’ centre-back.
However, with the Whites still competing in the Championship, ironically for a spot in the Premier League next season where VAR is used each week, and were able to put the pressure on in the final moments.
The quartet of Joel Piroe, Dan James, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon really struggled to make any major impact on the game, with Farke’s substitutions coming in clutch right at the end.
With all three points secured against a fellow promotion hopeful, Leeds now move back to the top of the Championship table, leapfrogging Sheffield United, who fall to second.
Leeds United aerial strength wins out at Elland Road
Speaking to Football Insider about Struijk’s equaliser, the former referee was unmoved and said:
“Given the earlier shout for a Leeds United penalty kick that was not given earlier in the game then this incident was insufficient to overturn the Leeds United goal.”
There were possibly some questionable decisions during the game, but with Sunderland receiving six yellow cards to Leeds’ three, it would be harsh to say Attwell favoured one team.
Struijk’s equaliser could have very easily been disallowed for the contact on the Black Cats’ midfielder, but with far more contact being allowed than in the Premier League, for example, it would have been a harsh call.