Big Sam's first game in charge of Leeds United ended in defeat at champions and current leaders Manchester City, but they set up a nervous finale thanks to Rodrigo's 85th-minute strike.
A first half brace from Ilkay Gundogan set the hosts on their way to a 10th straight Premier League win and after he missed the chance of a hat-trick from the penalty spot when his effort came back off the post, Rodrigo raced clean through to reduce the arrears and bring Leeds back into the match.
With three matches remaining, Leeds United sit one place outside the drop zone on 30 points, but could find themselves in the bottom three when Forest and Everton play tomorrow.
READ MORE: Leeds United news as Alan Shearer delivers Whites survival verdict, Sam Allardyce warned
Here is a round-up of what the national media made of Allardyce's first game in charge and Leeds' Premier League fortunes.
'It felt as if this was a building block'
"Allardyce gave City a scare at the Etihad," Oliver Holt wrote for the Mail on Sunday. "Pep Guardiola’s team outplayed Leeds for 95% of the game but when they grew complacent for an instant and let Ilkay Gundogan try to complete his hat-trick with a penalty, Leeds hit back.
"A minute later, substitute Rodrigo brought it back to 2-1 and suddenly Leeds, Big Sam and their fans smelled a miracle. It didn’t quite happen but the City players left the pitch shaking their heads, Guardiola made his displeasure with Gundogan, who had been the game’s outstanding player, obvious.
"Allardyce and the Leeds players walked over to their fans who were jumping and celebrating as if they had just won the league. This was a free hit for them. No one expected them to get anything out of this game and that is precisely what happened.
"They offered very little going forward but very nearly pulled off the smash-and-grab to end them all. Their future will be decided in their last three games, at home to Newcastle, away to West Ham and at home to Spurs.
"Leeds have now gone six games without a win and only sit above the relegation zone on goal difference but when the final whistle went and the Leeds fans roared, it felt, in a modest way, as if this was a building block."
'At the mercy of other sides'
"Leeds are now at the mercy of other sides' results in their pursuit of Premier League survival," writes Nathan Ridley for the Daily Mirror. "While Allardyce's masterplan didn't work out, a 2-1 defeat still keeps them out of the relegation zone thanks to the fact they're eight goals better off than 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
"Leeds could, however, end up second bottom by the end of the Bank Holiday weekend should Forest and Everton pick up wins."
'Positives to cling on to'
"Sam Allardyce had waited two years to manage a competitive match and the wait will arguably go on for another week, after he witnessed his new Leeds side suffer at the hands of Manchester City. But there were, in the end, positives to cling to," writes Will Unwin for the Guardian.
"The 68-year-old had been given three days on the training ground to impart his methods. It would appear those sessions were attack v defence to prepare them for facing an inevitable afternoon of City domination but Leeds exerted maximum effort, Allardyce’s minimum requirement
"Allardyce will be searching for the positives in what was a tough and energy-sapping afternoon in east Manchester. He can hold on to the fact the players kept their shape and were disciplined. Preparations had clearly focused on themselves rather than the opposition.
"Allardyce will require different formulas in the final three games and this level of defensive play is unlikely to be replicated against Newcastle, West Ham or Tottenham.
"Once Leeds surprisingly pulled one back, Allardyce became more animated on the touchline. He knows that Rodrigo’s coolly taken goal was not meaningless, it is a platform to build on. The fans had a much-needed moment to celebrate and a potential catalyst for survival."
'Have to show more attacking intent in next few weeks'
"Regular penalty-taker Haaland passed up the chance to take it and add to his 51-goal tally for the season, but saw Gundogan miss out on a hat-trick when he sent his effort against the post. That gave Leeds hope and, only 58 seconds later, they were somehow back in the game," writes Chris Bevan for the BBC.
"Manuel Akanji failed to deal with a long ball and substitute Rodrigo beat Ederson with a low finish. Their noisy supporters roared them forward in search of an unlikely equaliser but City were not in the mood to let the three points slip.
"Leeds and Allardyce, meanwhile, only have a grim fight against relegation ahead.
"With three games left, they remain out of the relegation zone on goal difference - but they will have to show far more attacking intent in the next few weeks if they are to avoid the drop."
