FOOTBALL fans labelled Ethan Ampadu’s reaction to an opponent’s red card as the “best thing ever seen”.
The former Chelsea man, 23, is now a lynchpin in Daniel Farke’s Leeds side as they attempt to complete an immediate return to the Premier League.
Ampadu
— renderful (@emilyrender) March 2, 2024pic.twitter.com/bZ02VYCsBP
And he was right in the thick of the action in the Yorkshire derby away at Huddersfield today.
The Terriers took a surprise lead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time through Michal Helik’s close-range finish.
But just as it looked to be the perfect opening half for the hosts, they lost their captain four minutes into the nine added on.
Jonathan Hogg, already booked, flung a stray elbow into Junior Firpo when challenging for a loose dropping ball.
And the referee immediately whistled then brandished the second yellow and subsequent red.
A stunned Hogg had words for the referee… but captain Ampadu shared some of his own with his opposite number.
The Leeds skipper, holding the ball, turned to Hogg and nodded his head repeatedly, appearing to say, “Yeah, yeah f*** off,” in agreement with the official’s decision.
Ampadu then brilliantly gestured his thumb towards the tunnel – showing Hogg where to go for his early bath.
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And the brilliant response from the 49-cap Wales international went down a storm among supporters on social media.
One said: “This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
Another wrote: “It’s funnier the more times you watch it.”
A third added: “My captain.”
And a fourth quoted the great literary genius Mike Dean to reply: “Off you pop.”
But Leeds were not laughing come full-time as their 100 per cent Championship record in 2024 was ended by their rivals.
Patrick Bamford did equalise midway through the second half but the ten-man Terriers dug deep to hold on for a crucial point.
