Did Leeds united deserve the win? Furious Oxford United boss Gary Rowett delivered honest verdict amid Leeds United decisions as referee receives lengthy post-match visit
Gary Rowett Questions Refereeing Decisions After Oxford’s Narrow Defeat to Leeds
Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett expressed his frustration with some of referee Dean Whitestone’s decisions during Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at the Kassam Stadium.
Leeds clinched a vital victory on Good Friday, reclaiming top spot in the Championship following earlier wins by Burnley and Sheffield United. Manor Solomon’s first-half goal was enough to separate the two sides, with Leeds holding off late pressure from the hosts to secure a third consecutive win at a critical stage in the season.
After the final whistle, Rowett spent around 15 minutes in discussion with Whitestone and his officiating team before addressing the media. The Oxford boss believed a few key calls went Leeds’ way and disrupted his side’s momentum at crucial points in the match.
“Sometimes you just need a bit of luck,” Rowett said. “There was one incident where [Alex] Matos charged down the goalkeeper—should’ve been a corner, but it was given as a goal kick. Another where [Michal] Helik heads the ball and gets a foul against him, which I didn’t see any justification for.”
Rowett suggested that his team, as a smaller club, hasn’t benefited from marginal decisions throughout the season, including a lack of penalties awarded. While he didn’t feel the officiating significantly altered the outcome, he believed it eased pressure on Leeds in moments where Oxford were pushing for an equalizer.
What the Result Means for the Championship
Oxford United remain in 19th place, five points above the relegation zone with three games left to play. Leeds United, meanwhile, head into Easter Monday’s clash with Stoke City at Elland Road with a chance to seal automatic promotion—depending on how Sheffield United fare in their trip to Burnley.
