Noel Whelan gives assessment of whether Liam Cooper’s Leeds United red card was deserved

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds defender was sent off against Cardiff.

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper had a night to forget as he was sent off against Cardiff City.

The Whites went on to lose 3-1, with Cooper dismissed for picking up two yellow cards.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan was asked on BBC Radio Leeds after the game if he felt Cooper’s dismissal was justified.

Whelan said he felt Cooper could have no complaints over the red card.

He said: “The second one was a stupid yellow card. How he has not got there quicker I do not know.

“The first one he can have no complaints. He has to deal with the situation, it’s slack defending. It’s two yellows deservedly.”

Cooper will miss this weekend’s match at Sheffield Wednesday due to suspension, which gives Matthew Pennington a chance to re-establish himself in the side.

Pennington started first game of the season but suffered an injury and has not figured since from the start.

The Everton loanee came on as a half-time substitute against Cardiff and performed solidly.

Leeds may be no worse off for his inclusion, with Cooper the big loser if he ends up spending a substantial time on the substitute’s bench when he returns.