21st placed Wigan came to Elland Road today and, against the odds it must be said, walked away 2-1 winners.
On paper, it should have been an easy game for the Whites. 2nd vs 21st, great home record vs worst away record. It got even better for the home side with Cedric Kipre’s dismissal for goalline handball in keeping out Patrick Bamford’s shot.
Pablo Hernandez missed the penalty but, mere minutes later, Leeds took the lead through Bamford with a smart finish. On paper, things suddenly looked a lot rosier for the home side. Trouble was, someone forgot to give the same paper to Wigan.
Missed chances, poor crosses, wayward final balls, Leeds United had all that in spades. Yet, to dwell on that would be to do Wigan a disservice. The Latics worked hard, ran hard and their hard work paid off.
Yes, they had more than a touch of good fortune as they defended with their backs to the wall. In football, you make your own luck and Wigan certainly did that. A great win for Wigan, a disappointing loss for Leeds.
That disappointment was tangible, it was disappointment felt at the final whistle. It remains an opportunity missed, an opportunity that could come back and haunt Leeds with tricky games coming up against Brentford and Aston Villa.
Here’s how some Leeds United fans have reacted to the Wigan loss.
Disappointment at Elland Road – Leeds fans comment on Wigan loss
All this and Derby will turn us over 2-0 in the playoffs. Rage. #lufc
— It’s ‘would have’, not ‘would of’ (@MuzzyHillbilly) April 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/stanners_1982/status/1119274933258006528?s=21
Most painful game ever!! @LUFC #mot #ALAW
— Carl Weston (@carl_we5ton) April 19, 2019
Gullible me: 1-0 up against 10 man relegation threatened Wigan, we’re going to get a bag full, no team can screw this up
Leeds United: hold my beer, u ain’t seen nothing yet. #lufc
— GF (@GFoster1983) April 19, 2019
most arrogant performance I've ever seen….. we don't go up it's players fault not the manager or the chairman…… over 30 shots in a game and only score 1 goal against 10 men absolutely fuming #lufc
— Louie harris (@louieharris1919) April 19, 2019
In this most excruciating of seasons, a truly #lufc performance today.
— Wizielsa (Champion) (@Wizzili) April 19, 2019
relying on Hull to pull their finger out on Monday or it’s over simple as that #lufc
— Armo☀️🌙 #GrazieVale (@Jordan_Armo) April 19, 2019