OPINION
Gary Lineker praised Derby County and Frank Lampard for making the finals of the Championship play-offs at the expense of Leeds on Wednesday night – and plenty of Whites fans are not happy with the MotD host.
Leeds fans were expecting to be looking forward to a straight 90-minute shoot-out against Villa for a place in the Premier League next season.
However, Frank Lampard’s team did what no other team has done in the history of the play-offs on Wednesday night, coming from a goal down after playing at home first to progress to the final.
Lineker heaped praise on Lampard after the game, saying “Great win for Derby and Frank Lampard. having worked with him, it’s no surprise whatsoever that he’s delivering off the pitch like he did on it.”
Great win for @dcfcofficial and Frank Lampard. Having worked with him, it’s no surprise whatsoever that he’s delivering off the pitch like he did on it. ??
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 15, 2019
However, many Leeds fans weren’t happy with this and you can understand why.
Lineker didn’t mention Leeds or how their manager Marcelo Bielsa had masterminded three wins from three games against Derby before last night – and left Lampard looking tactically bereft in the first leg of the play-offs.
Leeds were totally in control at Elland Road until a terrible mistake at the back gifted Derby a route back into the game.
One fan summed it up when he said, “Mistakes and ref got Derby through, not Frank.”
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
Get out of his arse, Gary. Mistakes and ref got Derby through, not Frank.
— Jordan Braithwaite ?? Thank you, Bielsa. (@jinjey_247) May 15, 2019
the bias against Leeds is unreal
— Laura Kenny (@Laura__Kenny) May 15, 2019
think Leeds defence gave him that win
— PJ (@PJ_Jenno) May 15, 2019
Wouldn't really acredit that to Lampard. He did very little of note tactically. Ref was poor, we had several sub-par performers, several major injury absentees & most significantly, several major individual errors. That was ours to lose & we did so in typically ludicrous fashion.
— Enoch Well Placed ?? (@EnochWellPlaced) May 16, 2019
Apparently, everyone loves Frank Laempards Derby! Including @SkySports. Absolutely devistated we blew it, really thought Belisa had ridden the club of this mentality, but its still about. Injuries and Barardi cost us tonight. Unreal
— Scott ? (@scottno28) May 15, 2019
With a lot of help from Casilla ????
— Mike Inch (@MikeInch71) May 15, 2019
No way on earth did Frank win that or tactically beat Leeds we had a shocker and handed that to derby,Leeds of old gifting the goals
— Razz??? (@russcausier) May 15, 2019
Leeds gifted them that game. Awful error from Casilla and stupid penalty to give away.
— rob (@RJM_83) May 15, 2019
EFL still have their cash cow
— David Baines ???? (@Dgb1971Dgb) May 15, 2019
Corrupt @EFL got the final they wanted man u fan as referee only gonna be one outcome
— Michael Croft (@postmann26) May 15, 2019