'More towels than chances!' - Throw-in drama during Leeds United v Sunderland clash in Premier League drives Steve McManaman 'crazy'

React to this story

Sunderland edged another Premier League game defined by set-pieces and physical battles as they left Elland Road with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United. Habib Diarra scored the game's only goal from the penalty spot but it was the use of towels before throw-ins that proved the major talking point for TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman, who said "the game needs to be looked at."

McManaman fumes at towels and time-outs in Leeds v Sunderland

Video credit: TNT Sports

Steve McManaman made clear his frustration with the use of towels to aid throw-in takers during Leeds United's Premier League clash with Sunderland.

In a goalless, cagey first-half that highlighted the continuing trend of an emphasis on set-pieces, there were plenty of delays for long throws.

Sunderland's Luke O'Nien was at one point denied a towel to dry the ball by Leeds' Sean Longstaff, who was eventually told to hand it over.

Transfers

Milan make contact with Arsenal over Nwaneri - Euro Transfer News

30/07/2026 at 17:59

And TNT Sports' McManaman gave his impassioned verdict at half-time.

"There's more towels scattered around the pitch than chances on the pitch!" he said.

"I just think the way the game's gone, people are falling over on the pitch, making sure they have time out - everything now is long throws.

"I get the fact it's an opportunity to score a goal, but we're slowing the game down and there's no quality going on the green grass we're in front of."

When it was pointed out that there was even a towel behind one of the goals, McManaman said: "Who's going to use that?! You can't take a throw-in behind the goalkeeper, it's ridiculous. The world has gone mad!"

Diarra beats Darlow from spot after contentious Ampadu handball

Video credit: TNT Sports

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger was also left unhappy by the slow pace of the game.

"People getting time-outs, faking injuries to have a time-out," McManaman added. "The game needs to be looked at because it's driving me crazy at this moment in time. It's not an enjoyable watch."

'Absolutely embarrassing' - Beckford fumes at decision

Ex-Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford was incredulous at the decision not to award the hosts a penalty after O'Nien appeared to put his arms around the neck of Pascal Struijk in the box.

"I'm so bemused as to how the referee and the VAR officials haven't given a penalty," Beckford said on TNT Sports. "It's clear as day.

"How on earth is that not a penalty? It's absolutely embarrassing!"

McManaman added: "It's not a penalty because now this is, for some reason, the norm, this madness at set-pieces all the time, which is frustrating the life out of everybody, particularly ex-players.

"It's awful and the referees really need to get a grip of it."

'Clear as day!' - Beckford baffled by 'embarrassing' O'Nien challenge on Struijk

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was Sunderland instead who benefitted from VAR in the second half when Ethan Ampadu was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Habib Diarra converted from the spot for the game's only goal, with victory taking Sunderland to 40 points in an impressive campaign for the newly-promoted side.

Leeds, meanwhile, remain on 31 points, still looking over their shoulder at the clubs directly beneath them in the relegation battle.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers