Joe Rodon has just done something last achieved by Norman Hunter during Leeds United vs Chelsea
Leeds United secured a vital victory over Chelsea in the Premier League, while defender Joe Rodon equalled a record set by Norman Hunter in the process.
Heading into the showdown at Elland Road, Daniel Farke was facing the sack, although those worries were eased by goals from Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Leeds sealed a 3-1 win over Chelsea.
It was a superb performance from the Whites, who continued where they left off in the second half at Manchester City on Saturday to stun the title challengers.
Leeds have often struggled in front of goal since returning to the Premier League, but Farke’s decision to play with a two-man strike force for the second game running worked a treat, with Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha pressing the visitors into mistakes.
Meanwhile, on a night when Gary Neville was impressed by Bijol’s aerial dominance, it was Rodon who equalled a remarkable record.
Joe Rodon appears in 100 consecutive games for Leeds
During their rise back into the Premier League, Rodon has played a crucial role, making himself undroppable in the heart of Farke’s defence.
Rodon initially joined Leeds on loan from Tottenham in 2023, before sealing a permanent move a year later for around £10million.
The Welshman has been ever-present in the past two-and-a-half years, and on Wednesday evening, became the first outfield player at Leeds to appear in 100 consecutive league/play-off matches in a row since Norman Hunter between September 1962 and April 1965 (113 in a row).
Joe Rodon tonight becomes the first outfield Leeds United player to appear in 100 consecutive league/play-off matches in a row since Norman Hunter between September 1962 and April 1965 (113 in a row). #lufc pic.twitter.com/KhsnWUpxLA
— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) December 3, 2025
Hunter became a legend at Elland Road during the 60s and 70s for his no-nonsense and tough-tackling style, while amassing a whopping 653 appearances for the Whites.
It’s a legacy that any player will struggle to replicate, although Rodon will want to become a legend of the club in his own right.
How did Rodon perform vs Chelsea?
As a player, the best ability is availability, and Rodon hasn’t missed a single minute for Leeds in 2025/26, continuing that streak against Chelsea.
The 28-year-old partnered Bijol and Pascal Strujik in a three-man defence and had a solid, yet unspectacular game on Wednesday night.
| Joe Rodon’s stats vs Chelsea |
| 90 minutes played |
| 8/12 accurate passes (67%) |
| 1 interception |
| 6 clearances |
| 1/1 ground duels won |
| 1/3 aerial duels won |
Truthfully, the visitors struggled to hurt Leeds in attack, with Farke’s change in formation working a treat as Rodon wasn’t forced into doing a lot of defending.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @motleedsnews