Leeds v Sunderland Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL chief says player got lucky after what he did
Keith Hackett believes one player can consider himself “lucky” to have avoided being sent off during the Leeds United versus Sunderland clash.
Leeds came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 in a dramatic match at Elland Road on Monday (17 February).
Matters threatened to boil over numerous times in a gripping Championship contest – and appeared to do so away from the cameras at half-time – but both teams did manage to keep all 11 players on the field.
However, in the view of former PGMOL chief Hackett – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – that could easily have not been the case.
Joe Rodon fortunate to avoid red card in Leeds v Sunderland
Rodon was involved in an incident with Sunderland goalscorer Wilson Isidor towards the end of the first half.
After shoving Luke O’Nien to the ground, Rodon then locked horns with Isidor and did briefly look to move his head in his opponent’s direction.
Hackett said: “Rodon can count himself lucky having pushed his opponent and then come into head to head contact with another Sunderland player.
“With some head movement, he could easily have been taking that long walk off the field of play.
“It’s lucky for him that Stuart Attwell decided there was no force in the head movement, which is what I would suggest is what saved him.”
Who was Leeds United v Sunderland referee?
There was a late change to the referee as Craig Pawson was replaced by Stuart Attwell for unknown reasons.
One theory put forward is that Pawson has ties to Sheffield United, who are one of Leeds and Sunderland‘s automatic promotion rivals.
Attwell was certainly kept busy and, while he tried his best to let a lot go, the players made that next to impossible the longer the game went on.
It was an eventful contest at Elland Road, and one that Leeds ultimately edged thanks to Pascal Struijk’s late equaliser and even later winner.
Leeds United now have a truly massive showdown against leaders Sheffield United in a week’s time at Bramall Lane, which could well be a title decider rather than a battle for the top two.