Former Everton winger Peter Beagrie has blasted Leeds United's defending from set pieces against Brighton & Hove Albion, dubbing it "diabolical".
The Whites have been defensively solid in recent months, with the central defensive pairing of Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson being key to a good run which has powered the side up into the Championship playoff places.
However, Leeds were poor at the Amex against Brighton on Friday night, giving away two penalties, both from set piece situations, which the Seagulls tucked home to win 2-0; Leeds had Kalvin Phillips sent off in the 23rd minute as he handled on the goalline.
Beagrie feels that Whites boss Garry Monk will be fuming at his side's defending from set pieces and admitted that it is out of character for the Leeds side who have been on show of late.
"It was really the set piece issues, which will infuriate Garry Monk, it really will", Beagrie said on Sky Sports after the game.
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"The defending tonight was not like Leeds have been. They have been strong and resilient.
"The partnership between the two centre halves has been something which has caught the eye and has allowed them from that solid base to go and attack with the pace in wide areas.
"Today it was just diabolical", the former winger continued.
"There was a lack of effort, a lack of thought, a lack of communication, which is key from a defensive point of view; from the some of the leaders as well, Kyle Bartley in particular."
Brighton have hit the top of the Championship table with their win over Leeds, while the Whites will be watching the weekend's results to hope they do not pay too high a price, as they could fall as low as ninth from their current placing of fourth.
