Steve Bruce was astonished when referee Tim Robinson failed to give Leeds United a penalty during a contentious game against Sunderland on Tuesday (9 April).

The two teams drew 0-0 in the Championship, with the Whites failing to capitalise on Leicester City’s shock setback to Millwall.

Leeds might have taken all three points with a penalty, putting pressure on the top two teams in the Championship, Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Bruce responded to the incident live on Sky Sports News (9 April, 9:37pm): “The referees had a good look at it.” Where is VAR when you need it? He [Luke O’Nien] has virtually punched it.

“It comes in from a corner, and O’Nien, who has defended brilliantly all night, raises his arm – a straightforward penalty. In the Premier League, that would be stopped and a penalty awarded, which is the correct judgment.”

Leeds United fail to capitalise against Sunderland at Elland Road.

While he will be upset with the handball judgment in favour of the Black Cats, Daniel Farke will be most displeased with his team’s poor performance in front of their home fans.

The Leeds team posed little threat moving forward, with Sunderland attacking at the other end of the pitch, but neither pair of strikers were capable of finding the back of the net.

VAR may have been useful throughout the contest. The referee also missed a handball call when Crysencio Summerville’s shot struck Daniel Ballard’s elbow.

Despite the missed penalty calls, Leeds should have grabbed control and increased the tempo, rather than dwelling on what may have been.

Championship opponents Leicester provided a clear path to the top of the table for Leeds, but the Whites squandered the opportunity, going scoreless for the first time since December.

Ipswich Town will feel like the true victors after Tuesday, as they prepare to face Watford at Portman Road on Wednesday, April 10.

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