“How has he not given that as a penalty?, It was a clear penalty, He clearly kicked the back of his calf”- Dean Ashton blats referee James Bell for controversial penalty decision that cost Leeds v Burnley

Dean Ashton was “very, very surprised” that Leeds United weren’t given a penalty in their 1-0 defeat against Burnley on 14 September.

Manor Solomon was taken out from behind in the first half by Joe Worrall, who did manage to get a touch on the ball after he’d kicked the winger’s leg to the side. Hannibal Mejbri didn’t help matters much either as he shoved his head into the Israel international and was given a yellow card to take attention away.

Speaking live on talkSPORT 2 (14 September) Ashton believes that the Whites should have had a penalty for the challenge.

“It should’ve been [a penalty] because nowadays you certainly can’t go through the back of a player to get the ball and that’s exactly what Worrall did against Solomon,” he said.

“He clearly kicked the back of his calf away and then got a touch on the ball, to me it was a really clear penalty, very very surprised that the officials and the referee didn’t give it. How has he not given that?.”

Leeds were solid enough throughout but the result doesn’t reflect that. While the Whites only lost 1-0, thanks to some poor finishing from the likes of Mateo Joseph, the West Yorkshire outfit cannot let this happen again.

It was Leeds’ first real test at home after starting the season facing teams such as newly-promoted Portsmouth and struggling Hull.

While both of these are still solid Championship outfits, the fact that the first time they face a relegated team is when they lose their winning streak raises a fair few question marks. Thankfully, there is plenty of time to go in the Championship and as Leeds know more than most, the season is not decided in September.

With plenty of time to go, it is time to put a run together and not relying on decisions from the officials would help, as they struggle to break teams down yet again.