The Leeds United midfielder only got in with a few minutes remaining but he should have kicked off the match.
There is no doubting that on his day Leeds United teenager Ronaldo Vieira is one of the best midfielders in the Championship.
Unfortunately, his age means there is going to be an element of inconsistency to his game, and some time out of the spotlight is required to recharge his batteries.
Leeds manager Garry Monk acknowledged that when he rested him for last week’s league game against Birmingham City. After all, a fresh Vieira was needed for the challenges to come, firstly a tough away day at in-form Fulham.
So it was particularly baffling that Vieira, despite being recalled to the match day squad on Tuesday evening, was named on the bench while Kalvin Phillips started.
The latter may have impressed in the second half against Birmingham but that cameo does not justify his inclusion against Fulham, especially when you consider Leeds started the far more experienced duo of Liam Bridcutt and Eunan O’Kane against the Blues, allowing Vieira to be rested without his absence impacting the team.
It is easy to look back on the midfielder’s red card and point the finger, and hindsight is a wonderful thing in football, but what was the point in resting Vieira last time out only to overlook him a few days on?
He was exactly the type of player Leeds needed against Fulham but Monk appeared to be blinded by Phillips’ brief brilliance rather than remembering just how good a fresh and firing Vieira can be.
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