‘I’m not sure why’: Martin Keown left baffled after 53rd minute incident in Leeds draw with Wolves

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Martin Keown has told Match of the Day that he is not sure why Romain Saiss was only booked for the challenge on Raphinha that forced the Leeds United winger off during their draw with Wolves on Saturday.

The Whites scored an equaliser in stoppage-time to earn a point against Bruno Lage’s men at Elland Road.

It feels as though it could be a real turning point for Marcelo Bielsa’s side after a rough start to the Premier League season.

But of course, there was one major disappointment for the home side. Raphinha had to be taken off nine minutes into the second-half.

The substitution came after the Brazil international was caught by Saiss. The defender was actually penalised for a handball, it seems.

But it soon became apparent that the Moroccan had caught Raphinha on the ankle with a sliding challenge. It did seem that he had little control as he made contact with Raphinha.

Leeds will be desperately hoping that the wide-man is back soon. And Keown suggested that they have every right to feel further aggrieved that Saiss stayed on the pitch.

“Yeah, it’s bad. It’s excessive, it’s dangerous,” he told Match of the Day. “And it’s careless. I’m not sure why it was only a booking. Should have been sent off there.”

Leeds will point to Pascal Struijk red card with Whites wanting answers after Saiss foul on Raphinha

Of course, Saiss would not have been the first player sent off at Elland Road this season had he gone.

Pascal Struijk was dismissed against Liverpool after a challenge on Harvey Elliott.

The referee did not blow his whistle for a foul with Struijk coming away with possession.

However, after learning how seriously Elliott was injured, Craig Pawson decided to show Struijk the red card. The Athletic subsequently confirmed that the severity of the injury played a part in Pawson’s decision.

With that in mind, Leeds will wonder what Saiss had to do to be sent off. Clearly, Elliott suffered the more serious injury. But Raphinha still had to be helped from the field.

And in many ways, Saiss’ challenge seemed a lot more dangerous than Struijk’s appeared to be on first viewing.

Having said that, Leeds may well have found Wolves harder to break down had the visitors had 40 minutes to see out with 10 men.

But the lack of consistency will certainly infuriate many associated with the Whites.