Why Leeds United first goal against QPR was given at Loftus Road

QPR stunned Leeds United in the first half at Loftus Road this afternoon, going into a 2-0 lead after just 30 minutes against the league leaders.

Koki Saito opened the scoring for the R’s as he lashed home a shot when pouncing on a loose ball in the Whites’ box after 17 minutes. Just over 10 minutes later, Paul Smyth whipped a cross onto the head of an unmarked Steve Cook, who was the right man needed to ensure that gift of a header flew past Ilan Meslier in the Leeds United goal.

However, the QPR two goal cushion lasted just 10 minutes. Marti Cifuentes’ side were lacklustre when closing down a Leeds United break, much to the audible frustration of Loftus Road, allowing Manor Solomon to fizz a low cross across goal, which Junior Firpo appeared to turn in. During the half-time break, the goal was then credited as a Morgan Fox own goal, the QPR defender apparently getting the faintest of touches on the cross.

Leeds United goal credited as Morgan Fox OG

In the seconds that followed, a furious QPR team shouted for offside to referee Tim Robinson and the official did at first look to be hesitant. However, a look over to his assistant, who was being berated by Cook, confirmed that the goal would stand.

Looking at the replay, it was easy to understand QPR frustration. Leeds United full-back Jayden Bogle is clearly offside at the far post and follows the Solomon cross in, practically watching it cross the line under his nose. Kenneth Paal altered his defensive run to track his opposite number, and perhaps would have done differently if not for Bogle’s movements - however, ultimately, the Whites’ player did not touch the ball as it went in.

Speaking on BBC Radio London, former QPR and Manchester United man Paul Parker said: “It is a shame QPR conceded. Leeds have got a lot of work to do. They fell apart after going behind. I thought they could have gone on to get a third.”

Commenting on the reaction of the QPR players, former Leeds United defender Jon Newsome told the station: “The QPR players are going crazy, the referee and assistant stood their ground. Great reaction.”

FA guidelines on offside

The FA rulebook outlines that a player can be in an offside position even if not touching the ball when interfering with opposition. It states: “A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

“Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate, or interfering with an opponent by: preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.”

In other news, this is how QPR and Millwall fare in a new look predicted Championship table.