LEEDS (H) MATCH REPORT
Sunderland stopped their losing run with a point at the Stadium of Light against Leeds.
With the return of Brian Brobbey, Sunderland looked a much better outfit compared to recent weeks but the problem of scoring goals remained with neither side creating many chances to take home the three points.
Regis Le Bris went into the game under pressure with his Sunderland side sitting at the foot of the Premier League table. Last time out in the league, the Black Cats were comfortably beaten by struggling Bournemouth, conceding inside five minutes and going down to 10 men within 20. A win for Sunderland would see them jump off the bottom of the table.
On Thursday, Sunderland were held to a draw by Poznan who were bottom of the Europa League.
Kevin Danso was unavailable for the game due to that red card while Wilson Isidor, Thomas Meunier and Dan Ballard were out through injury. Brian Brobbey made his first start since his hamstring problem earlier in the month and Luke O’Nien kept his starting role from Thursday.
Leeds have begun the season in great form with 10 points in the opening seven games of the season but they are winless in their last three. Anton Stach and Noah Okafor were on the bench through injury while despite rumours, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fit to start.
KO
Leeds had the first chance of the game inside three minutes, the ball pinged around the midfield before finding Jayden Bogle, he skipped past the challenge before taking on the long range strike but it fell straight to Robin Roefs. Sunderland had a chance of their own five minutes later, a long ball from O’Nien found Enzo Le Fee, after a poor header from James Justin. He cut the ball to the edge of the box, finding Brobbey, but the shot was saved by James Trafford.
Some poor passing at the back for Leeds gave Sunderland another great chance, Granit Xhaka winning the ball high up the pitch allowed for Brobbey in on goal. With Trafford closing Brobbey tried to poke it past him but the trailing leg of the Leeds number one blocked the goal bound strike, leaving the game goalless entering the interval.
The first chance in the second half came from a long looping corner which found Tarik Muharemovic at the back post unmarked but the header was straight at Roefs. Sunderland struck back once again though, Nilson Angulo’s curling effort from outside the box was well saved.
The game then became end to end with Justin having a long range shot but his effort was wayward for Leeds. Soon after, Angulo once again tried his luck from outside of the box, this time with power, but Trafford was again equal to it.
With the swirling wind a seemingly routine set piece caused Leeds trouble, Trafford failed to catch the ball at the front post, leaving the ball to ping around the box, finally finding Angulo. His first time strike was deflected on its path to goal.
With Leeds getting themselves on top, a long range strike wasn’t held by Roefs allowing for Calvert-Lewin to pounce. However despite looking second best to win the ball O’Nien’s last ditch tackle was enough to keep Sunderland level.
Substitute Sean Longstaff almost earned Leeds the victory in the 90th minute of the game, winning the ball back high up the pitch before letting fire. His shot arrowed towards the bottom corner but Roefs was down quickly to make the save.
Leeds had another chance to win the game, Noah Okafor’s cross found Ethan Ampadu in the box but his strike struck one of several bodies in the six yard box to prevent a winner deep in additional time.
Sunderland next play against Brentford at the Stadium of Light in the Carabao Cup.
