Leeds United may have coasted to a 4-0 win over Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals, but that did not stop Joe Rodon from fuming at one of his teammates in the 90th minute.
The Whites produced a near perfect performance at Elland Road to move to within just 90 minutes of an immediate return to the Premier League.
With a raucous atmosphere behind them, it did not take Leeds long to open the scoring as Ilia Gruev’s clever free-kick found its way past Angus Gunn into the bottom corner.
Joel Piroe – who many believe produced his best display in a Leeds shirt – then doubled the lead shortly after, before Georginio Rutter ended his difficult run of form by adding a third.
Crysencio Summerville rounded off the scoring midway through the second half with an easy finish inside the six-yard-box, and in truth, it could have been even more.
Why Rodon was fuming at James in second half of Leeds win
Though Gruev finally broke Leeds’ duck of actually scoring from a set-piece, some of the other deliveries in the match certainly left a lot to be desired.
Leeds’ last goal from a corner came all the way back on December 23, when Pascal Struijk headed in from close range against Ipswich Town, in his penultimate game before getting injured.
Dan James was one of the culprits on Thursday night as twice in quick succession in the latter stages of the match he wasted two chances to get the ball in the box.
On what looks set to be his final appearance as a Leeds player at Elland Road, the crowd were urging Liam Cooper to score a farewell goal, but James effectively blew his opportunity.
First, he put a corner straight into the man at the near post before then ballooning a free-kick from wide left well over the crossbar.
And as a result of that, Rodon was not afraid to let James know he wasn’t happy, as he mouthed ‘something unflattering’ towards his Welsh teammate, as per Leeds Live.
Rodon driving standards even when Leeds are comfortable
Though James’ poor deliveries were frustrating, in the grand scheme of things they didn’t matter. However, it is good to see Rodon driving standards regardless of how easy a game might be.
Daniel Farke has mentioned how young Leeds’ squad on so many occasions this season and even though he is only 26, Rodon is one of the more experienced members.
Even though he doesn’t have the armband, Rodon is among the most vocal on the pitch every week and hopefully that wasn’t the last time he steps out at Elland Road in a Leeds shirt.