Former Premier League referee delivers 'desperately unlucky' verdict on Wolves vs Leeds controversy

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says Raul Jimenez's sending off against Leeds United was "desperately unlucky".

Wolves were winning 2-0 at Molineux before Jimenez's sending off, which proved to be the turning point in the contest. The Mexican striker was going for the ball before colliding with the opposition goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Referee Kevin Friend deemed that as a foul worthy of a second yellow after Jimenez was already on a yellow card for a previous challenge.

Jesse Marsch's Leeds were then able to produce a comeback and seal a second consecutive win. Two quick-fire strikes from Jack Harrison and Rodrigo Moreno put matters level before Luke Ayling netted the winner in stoppage time.

Gallagher said on Football Daily of Friend's decision: "The irony of it is, if the VAR can't get involved it's all or nothing. If he's already on a yellow card, he gets a second yellow card.

"He's desperately unlucky to be sent off I think, he's desperately unlucky that he's going to serve a ban and he's even more unlucky that he can't appeal because you can't appeal a second yellow card.

"If that was a [straight] red card, that would have been overturned.

"I think it's a collision, two players going for the ball. The goalkeeper's got to go for the ball and the forward has got to go for the ball because he's trying to score a goal. I think two players have collided and these things happen in a football field."