Sky Sports commentator thinks ‘lucky boy’ Jayson Molumby should have been sent off in first half of West Brom v Leeds United
Jayson Molumby was a “lucky boy” not to be sent off in the first half of the Championship fixture between West Brom and Leeds United, according to Andy Hinchcliffe.
The Baggies midfielder was shown a yellow card for a professional foul after 29 minutes of Friday’s (18 August) Championship fixture at Elland Road.
But Hinchcliffe, speaking as co-commentator for Sky Sports‘ coverage of the game, felt he should have been penalised before that for a deliberate handball.
“I’m just wondering whether Jayson Molumby is a lucky boy to still be on the pitch,” he said.
“He was booked for this which is pretty clear, but there was also this earlier before that. The ball was just clipped past him and he stuck out a left arm and to me intentionally handballed it. I don’t understand why he wasn’t yellow carded for that.”
A little fortunate
It was not immediately obvious what Hinchcliffe was flagging in his analysis of Molumby during the first half of West Brom’s contest at Leeds.
But on second viewing, there is a very valid argument that the Sky co-commentator makes.
The yellow card that Molumby received, even the most ardent West Brom supporter could not argue about, he clearly just tugged his opponent to the floor was deservedly cautioned.
And when he pointed out the clear handball, it did admittedly look like it was a cautionable offence.
Neither were particularly malicious, but two yellows still equal a red so West Brom may consider themselves a little fortunate to still have their full complement of players for the second period.
Aside from that, Carlos Corberan would have been pretty happy with his side’s first-half showing at The Hawthorns, though he definitely would want to see a little more invention in the final third.
In other West Brom news, one pundit thinks the Baggies will lose out in the race to sign Jake Cooper.