Pablo Hernandez failed to covert a late penalty for Leeds United against Reading in the Championship.
Hernandez failed to convert a late penalty during Leeds’s Championship game against Reading at home on Saturday afternoon.
The 32-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder’s effort from the penalty spot was easily kept out by Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
Leeds head coach Christiansen has defended the former Valencia and Swansea City star.
“This is a lottery,” Christiansen told The Yorkshire Evening Post. “When you’re kicking the penalty there’s the possibility to score or miss.
“With the bad day we had today, we took the possibility not to the score but I will not complain about him.
“We need players who take this responsibility. He took it in the last minute but I want everyone to take responsibility during the 90 minutes.”
Hernandez did not have a great game against Reading, but it is very encouraging to see Christiansen publicly defend him.
It would not have been of any good if the Leeds head coach had criticised the Spaniard or had blamed him for their failing to pick up a point against the Royals.
The loss to Reading was Leeds’s third successive in the Championship, and Christiansen needs to sort this quickly.
The Royals’ start to the season has been great, which is why losing to them at Elland Road is such a disappointment for Leeds.
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