Alious
Neil Warnock was left fuming on live television after watching a contentious refereeing decision deny Leeds United a second goal in their clash with Middlesbrough on Tuesday, April 8.
Leeds entered the Riverside Stadium desperate to recover from a woeful run of form that had seen them win just once in six Championship outings—a streak that cast serious doubt over their automatic promotion hopes and heaped pressure on manager Daniel Farke.
But the early signs were promising. Dan James gave the visitors a dream start with a composed finish, reigniting hopes of a strong finish to the season. Not long after, it appeared Ao Tanaka had added a second, calmly slotting home from close range—only for the assistant referee’s flag to chalk it off for offside.
**Warnock Rips Into Linesman After Clear Error**
Replays immediately showed that Tanaka was clearly onside when the ball was played. The decision not only deprived Leeds of a crucial cushion in a vital promotion clash but also ignited a firestorm of criticism, led by former manager Neil Warnock on Sky Sports.
Reacting in disbelief as he reviewed the footage live on air, Warnock tore into the officiating crew: *“This is a definite goal. The linesman is in a great position—it should be bread and butter for him. If he can’t see that, Darren Williams, he’ll go home tonight saying, ‘I’ve done them a good job, haven’t I?’ That is a disgrace.”*
Warnock’s fury encapsulated the frustration shared by Leeds fans, who have witnessed too many fine margins go against them during a turbulent run-in.
**Promotion Race Still Alive – Favourable Fixtures Give Leeds a Lifeline**
Despite the recent downturn, Leeds’ 1-0 advantage on the night could prove to be a turning point in their promotion bid. The win, combined with other results—namely a defeat for Sheffield United and a draw for Burnley—offered the Whites a potential route back into the automatic spots.
With just five matches remaining, Farke’s men have been handed a relatively kind fixture list. Only one of their upcoming opponents, Bristol City on April 28, sits in the top half of the table. That, combined with the fact that their promotion rivals still have to face each other, sets the stage for Leeds to capitalize.
Momentum, if harnessed properly, could see Leeds secure a top-two finish and an immediate return to the Premier League after missing out in the 2022–23 campaign.
But to do so, they’ll need to stay composed and avoid letting external factors—like the one that drew Warnock’s ire—derail them. If they can manage that, Premier League football could once again be on the cards at Elland Road.
Alious
