Four days after Leeds United entered seventh heaven at home to Cardiff, Frank Lampard’s Coventry City side were perhaps fortunate not to find themselves on the end up another battering in the West Midlands.
As Daniel Farke’s visitors stormed into a 2-0 lead with less than half an hour on the clock – Joel Piroe capping his Cardiff brace with a well-taken finish following Manor Solomon’s flick and Jayden Bogle doubling the tally following a surging run – the home support may have been fearing the worst.
Fortunately for Coventry – not to mention Leeds United’s pantomime villain, the former Derby County boss Lampard – the ruthlessness displayed on Saturday was missing in action in midweek.
Dan James was wasteful on a frustrating night for the Welshman. Piroe, meanwhile, could have had a hat-trick had he taken the two other chances set up for him by the irrepressible Solomon.
A late offside, meanwhile, denied Leeds a third in stoppage time as substitute Willy Gnonto looked to bundle home.
The Championship table-toppers were also denied what looked a stonewall penalty as Brenden Aaronson was bulldozed to the ground inside the penalty area.
Brenden Aaronson denied stonewall penalty as Leeds United beat Coventry City
After James’ cut-back, the American was lined up a shot at goal only to be clattered from behind without the Coventry player getting even a hint of a toe on the ball.
“I think Leeds have been denied a clear penalty there,” BBC Sport reporter Adam Pope said as Aaronson hit the deck around the hour mark, referee Dean Whitestone waving play on from what looked like a very advantageous position.
“It’s absolutely a foul anywhere else on the pitch. It felt like the referee played advantage which you never do in that situation.”
Former Leeds stalwart Stuart Dallas went as far as to describe as ‘ridiculous. And while few of the Elland Road faithful will agree with the popular Northern Irishman’s call for VAR to be introduced in England’s second tier, you can understand his point.
“We should have had a penalty,” a stunned Dallas complains. “It’s a blatant penalty. I am calling for VAR in the Championship. It’s OK because we got away with it tonight but moments like that can change games!
“If Coventry go and score, momentum swings. I just think, in terms of the Championship, there is too much money at stake. It’s ridiculous.”
Farke admits Leeds should have had a spot-kick in West Midlands
“We should have had a penalty against Brenden Aaronson,” Daniel Farke added in his post-match presser. “Pretty annoyed that [we did not have] a better scoreline.
“But, apart from this, nothing to complain about.
Still, while Leeds may feel as if the eventual 2-0 scoreline did not really reflect their domination away from home against a resurgent, play-off chasing Coventry City outfit, the bigger picture is all that really matters in the grand scheme of things.
Leeds moved five points clear at the top of the Championship table.
And with their away form coming under the microscope at times – the Yorkshire giants lost away at Blackburn Rovers and Millwall while dropping further points at Preston North End, Hull City, Burnley, West Brom, Bristol City and Hull – the manner of Leeds’ victory feels like a big statement of intent as the title looms into view.
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