“Controversial; Joe Piroe RAGES over DISALLOWED goal in first half as Ex-PGMOL chief react to the incidents.
Joel Piroe was left furious in the first half as Leeds secured a 2-0 victory over Millwall at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
The win saw Daniel Farke’s men return to the top of the Championship, regaining their position after Sheffield United’s draw with Bristol City had briefly dropped them to second the previous evening.
A third-minute own goal, seemingly off Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, and a late strike by Ao Tanaka sealed the three points for Leeds.
However, the game could have unfolded more smoothly for the West Yorkshire side.
Piroe’s goal disallowed – Keith Hackett weighs in
Piroe thought he had bagged his 16th Championship goal of the season just past the half-hour mark when he combined beautifully with Brenden Aaronson.
The former Swansea forward celebrated in front of the Leeds fans, but his joy was short-lived as the assistant referee had raised his flag a moment before Piroe found the net.
Replays revealed that Aaronson was nearly level with the last Millwall defender when he passed the ball to Piroe.
Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL general manager, felt it was a very tight decision and one that should have gone in favor of the attacker.
“The assistant referee is in a perfect position, in line with the second-to-last defender,” Hackett told MOT Leeds News. “It’s a close call, but to me, the attacker looked to be level.
In these situations, I believe the benefit of the doubt should go to the attacking side, and the goal should have stood. Leeds can feel hard done by in this case.”
Leeds march on, but Piroe will be frustrated
Piroe was undoubtedly frustrated, feeling certain that he wasn’t offside when he scored.
However, he quickly realized the offside decision was for Aaronson, which somewhat dampened his protests.
The striker will likely remain annoyed upon seeing replays, which confirmed that Aaronson was in line with a Millwall defender at the time of the pass.
