Joe Hart delighted with what Joe Rodon did in Leeds draw with Sunderland: ‘It’s exactly what you want’
Joe Rodon has received significant praise for the role that he played in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the weekend.
Daniel Farke’s men put further daylight between themselves and the Premier League’s bottom three, as they came from a goal behind to dominate the second half and earn themselves a point on Wearside.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the net for Leeds yet again, as he slid home from Brenden Aaronson’s pass just two minutes into the second half, after Simon Adingra had put the hosts ahead in the opening period.
Rodon started the game on the right of the Whites’ back three alongside Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, but was forced off through injury shortly after the half-hour mark.
Joe Hart heaps praise on Joe Rodon for determination that he showed
The draw between Leeds and Sunderland was an all-action encounter, and the contest was played at a good intensity from start to finish.
However, Rodon quickly became the game’s first casualty in the 31st minute, when he was unable to continue after being on the receiving end of two strong challenges.
The Wales international received blows from Brian Brobbey and then Adingra in two heavy challenges, and was eventually forced off the pitch after attempting to continue alongside his teammates.
The Leeds man may have ultimately succumbed to his injury, but Hart was full of praise for his desire to try and continue for his manager and his team.
“He (Rodon) took a few good hits in the opening minutes,” the former Manchester City goalkeeper said on Match of the Day.
“He’s such a warrior, he’s not missed a game for two years. It’s exactly what you want from your centre-half.
“To get that hit twice in a row, that’s when you come off and you’re chatting to your physios.
“Can you play on? Yes, just give me a minute.”
Here’s why Sunderland’s goal vs Leeds should have been ruled out
Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Sunderland’s goal against Leeds should have been ruled out.
The former FIFA referee pointed out a shirt pull on Ethan Ampadu as he attempted to clear the ball following the long throw-in that led to the Black Cats’ opener, but the incident went unpunished by Tony Harrington.
Hackett pointed towards Law 12 of IFAB’s Laws of the Game, which outlines a pull of the shirt as a holding offence that is deemed to be a foul.
As a result, Farke and his men perhaps have reason to feel a little aggrieved that they only left the Stadium of Light with a point to show for their efforts.