Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce believes Premier League rivals’ pearl-clutching over ‘ball-in-play’ statistics is misguided due to the speed of English football’s top flight.

The 68-year-old believes players would become more susceptible to injury if ball-in-play time was increased in the Premier League.

Speaking ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to Leeds this weekend, Allardyce forged an unlikely symbiosis with Magpies head coach Eddie Howe, who also believes the focus on ‘ball-in-play’ and so-called time-wasting recently is overblown.

Newcastle have been accused of slowing the game by the likes of Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, a tactic the Gunners employed at St James’ Park themselves last week.

Sam Allardyce hits back at Leeds United time-wasting tactic and forges unlikely alliance