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Rodrigo’s first Premier League goal earned Leeds a deserved point in a throbbing draw against Manchester City at Elland Road.
Raheem Sterling’s punching shot was all City had to show for a dominant first half and Leeds club’s record signing Rodrigo tied from close in the 59th minute.
Minutes earlier, City goalkeeper Ederson had placed a header from the Spanish forward on the crossbar, while an early free kick from Kevin De Bruyne hit the wood.
City had enough chances early in the first half to have left the result out of the question, but Leeds grew both in confidence and stature after an early storm and created plenty of opportunities.
It was another thrilling show involving Marcelo Bielsa’s team and a fair result, but Pep Guardiola was left to lament a series of missed chances in the first half.
A 30-yard free kick from De Bruyne hit Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s right post in the third minute and City got off to an impressive start.
Robin Koch’s timely blocking deflected De Bruyne’s unit after Meslier’s misplaced pass and from the back corner, City’s new signing Ruben Dias narrowly headed in.
Ezgjan Alioski headed Leeds’ first chance over the bar, but it was all for City in the opening exchanges and there was an air of inevitability about his first goal.
Benjamin Mendy created the overhead down the left and after Liam Cooper failed to clear, Sterling got inside Luke Ayling and buried a low shot inside the far post.
Phil Foden dragged his deflected shot in front of goal after Sterling attacked him as City chased another goal that certainly wouldn’t have flattered them.
But Leeds responded with a diagonal shot from Patrick Bamford after an orderly interaction between Mateusz Klich and Helder Costa, and the home side began to gain confidence.
Foden fired a wide shot, but City were in debt to Ederson in the 36th minute when Stuart Dallas raced into the area after another fluid play from Leeds, but his effort was stifled by the Brazilian goalkeeper.
And having weathered the storm early, the home team should have leveled at the break. Ayling pounced on Mendy’s mistake and Ederson again came to City’s rescue.
Leeds substitute Ian Poveda at Alioski’s break made an instant impression when Dias rejected his run and cross.
Bielsa’s team picked up where it had left off at the end of the first half, with several sweeping movements that pushed City behind.
Rodrigo replaced Tyler Roberts and his shot hit the top of the crossbar before Leeds leveled off in the 59th minute.
Ederson made a hash of his attempt to clear the corner from Phillips and Rodrigo fumbled from close range.
The City keeper made peace soon after by pushing Rodrigo’s header over the crossbar as Leeds seemed more likely to find a winner.
Bamford was thwarted by Ederson in a one-on-one in the final stages and then nearly won it for City in death when Meslier sustained his header after a corner.
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