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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Leeds United let Aston Villa score from kick-off after controversial goal leads to red card melee

There were remarkable scenes at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon as Leeds United allowed Aston Villa to equalise unchallenged, after their controversial opener.

A bizarre series of events began in the 73rd minute, when Leeds appeared to be about to put the ball out of play to allow Villa forward Johnathon Kodjia to receive treatment, only to play on with Mateusz Klich curling into the bottom corner.

That left Villa players incensed, and sparked ugly scenes, with Villa winger Anwar Al Ghazi sent off for his part in the protests.

After the players were eventually separated, it appeared that Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa ordered his players to let Villa level the score from kick-off.

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The majority of the Leeds side obliged, but centre half Pontus Jansson did not, trying in vain to stop Albert Adoma finding the net.

The two sides could yet meet again before the season is out, with the current Championship table setting up a potential playoff final clash at Wembley, should they get there.

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