Ian Dowie critical of Leeds United duo Stuart Dallas and Bailey Peacock-Farrell after Northern Ireland beat Belarus

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Leeds United duo Stuart Dallas and Bailey Peacock-Farrell were in action for Northern Ireland on Sunday.

Ian Dowie has criticised Leeds United duo Stuart Dallas and Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the part they played in Northern Ireland conceding during their 2-1 win over Belarus on Sunday.

At the time, it looked like Michael O’Neill’s side were in for a tough night during their Euro 2020 qualifier, with Jonny Evans opening the scoring after 30 minutes for the home team.

But three minute later, a cross-field pass to goalscorer Stasevich resulted in him cutting the ball onto his right foot, with his shot taking a deflection off Dallas and looping over Peacock-Farrell in between the sticks.

Speaking to Sky Sports Football after the match (24/03/2019 at 9:50 pm), former Northern Ireland international, Dowie felt that Dallas should have been closer to his marker to stop the shot and his Leeds teammate should have been quicker to react to the strike.

“I was disappointed in the manner of the goal,” Dowie told Sky Sports Football. “For some reason, Stuart Dallas is unbelievably narrow. Doesn’t need to be. Let’s him [goalscorer] on the inside, but no-one tries to block him.

“He has got to come out there and squeeze that, Stuart Dallas. For most of the game, he was really comfortable, but he’s so narrow. He doesn’t need to be. The lad hits a shot [which takes a deflection] which is unfortunate and maybe he could work his feet a little quicker, Bailey Peacock-Farrell. If his feet are a little quicker, he maybe parries it over the bar.”

Overall, it has been a positive week for Northern Ireland during the international period because they have won their opening two Euro 2020 qualifying matches – Dallas and Peacock-Farrell started both encounters.

The duo will now return to club football where they are hoping to guide Leeds to the Premier League. Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered a damaging defeat to promotion rivals Sheffield United prior to the international break.

At the weekend, they will welcome relegation-threatened Millwall to Elland Road, with three points potentially moving them into the automatic place if the second-placed side drop points.

Goalkeeper Peackock-Farrell, who has been on the bench in recent months, will be expected to start because January signing Kiko Casilla was sent off last time out.