Watford striker Troy Deeney has hit out at Leeds United's Gjanni Alioski after his part in Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe's sending off yesterday. 

Leeds drew 0-0 with the Gunners at Elland Road yesterday but were in the ascendancy for much of the game, particularly after Pepe's red card in the second half.

The Frenchman was rightfully given his marching orders for headbutting Alioski but the defender's reaction seemed more than a little over the top.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney hit out at the Whites left-back for his part in the flashpoint and suggested that excuses were being made for him.

He said: "The embarrassment of going down like that is not necessarily the same any more. We’re all saying ‘he did get touched so he’s gone down’ – it’s kind of what we’re doing with the diving now, defending them.

"Whereas, me personally, if I would have got brushed with a head like that and went down, my mates would be hammering me for the next six months. It would be anything, like a gust of wind – ‘oh, watch Troy, he’s going to fall’.”

Leeds were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season, with Watford going in the other direction after finishing 19th.

Deeney's involvement for the Hornets since they dropped down to the second tier has been minor due to injury but he certainly appears to be causing a stir with his media work.

The Watford striker made his most significant contribution of the season on the weekend, coming off the bench at half time in his side's 1-1 draw with QPR.

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The Verdict

You can certainly see where Deeney is coming from here. Yes, there was contact from Pepe but Alioski's reaction seemed over the top.

The 32-year-old is no stranger to inflamatory comments and these are likely to wind the Elland Road faithful up to no end.

It's a shame that, unless they face each other in the FA Cup, Deeney is unlikely to face Leeds this season but Watford are promotion candidates so it could be one to look out for next term.