‘Diabolical’: Michael Owen hits out at Leeds United player

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Michael Owen has slammed Dan James for his ‘diabolical’ tackle on Mateo Kovacic during Leeds United’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The former England striker added that it’s a ‘mystery’ how the Chelsea midfielder didn’t get ‘really injured’ from James’ red-card challenge, as he told Premier League Productions (11/05/22 at 10:45 pm).

In the first half, Leeds were all over the place, 1-0 down and performing like a team that is heading for the Championship.

Just like against Arsenal, things became worse when James was shown a straight red to put fear into Leeds supporters’ eyes that they are going to suffer relegation.

Over the course of the season, the Whites have received 97 yellow cards and three red cards, as Owen pointed out that with 11 men Jesse Marsch’s side struggle, nevermind with ten.

“They are doing stupid things within games,” said Owen. “If you keep going down to ten men, it’s hard enough for Leeds to win with 11.

“That was just a diabolical tackle. The best bit of the whole game was seeing Kovacic walking off. I know he had to come off.

“But it was an awful tackle. How he didn’t get really injured was a mystery.

“If you keep giving yourself a mountain to climb like that, and against teams like Arsenal and Chelsea, then what chance have you got?”

‘DIRTY LEEDS’ BY NAME, ‘DIRTY LEEDS’ BY NATURE

Well, Leeds are living up to their old name ‘dirty Leeds’ by receiving the most yellow cards in a single Premier League season.

They are currently on 97 with two games remaining, as no English side, since 1992, has hit the 100 mark.

This isn’t just a Marsch issue, but one that stemmed from Marcelo Bielsa, and in truth, it shouldn’t be a surprise.

When you are playing a man-to-man marking system, like they have done for most of the time, then you are more prone to produce that rash tackle if you lose your man.

Either way, the Yorkshire outfit have to stop shooting themselves in the foot because, as things stand, it’s costing them relegation back to the Championship.