RATINGS V LEEDS

Sunderland concluded 2025 with a draw against fellow Premier League newcomers Leeds United at the Stadium of Light. Simon Adingra’s first goal for the Lads gave us the lead in the first half but we’d barely restarted after the break when the visitors equalised. Both teams had chances to win the match, so a point is a fair result.

ROBIN ROEFS: 7/10

Four saves from him today, nothing spectacular required though.

TRAI HUME: 7/10

He had his difficulties today, their winger gave him all sorts of problems, but he did keep us ahead by clearing off the line late in the first half.

NORDI MUKIELE: 8/10

Mukiele was often the one bailing us out of bother, particularly after the break. Lots of clearances and won headers. He did fail to prevent Dominic Calvert-Lewin from getting to the ball first for their goal but I don’t think you can be too harsh about that, considering it was well-worked.

OMAR ALDERETE: 7.5/10

Wasn't awfully busy until the second half started but he did well. He couldn’t quite connect with a header properly from a corner to put us back ahead late on though.

DENNIS CIRKIN: 5.5/10

He wasn’t great on his Premier League debut, maybe a case of being thrown into the deep end too soon.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8/10

What a ball to get the assist for our goal, he also drew lots of fouls throughout the match. Was almost caught out once or twice by taking too long on the ball and maybe could have closed down Brenden Aaronson for the equaliser more effectively.

LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA: 7.5/10

He coped well today, except when challenging for the ball in the air. For people who like stats, he was the most accurate passer to play 45 minutes or more for both teams.

CHRIS RIGG: 7/10

Struggled initially, then grew into things. A mixed performance, summed up by him losing the ball and then winning it back with a great sliding tackle seconds later.

ENZO LE FEE: 6/10

Was okay when he wasn’t attacking. He just seemed to lose his rhythm whenever he got out of our half.

SIMON ADINGRA: 8.5/10

A fantastically taken goal to get him off the mark for the season, hopefully a sign of things to come. He was fine during the rest of the match, he just didn’t get the ball often enough.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 6.5/10

Got really unlucky with the refereeing decisions (or lack thereof) and should have had some free kicks awarded in his favour due to shirt pulling and other frustrating defensive moves from Leeds. Got unlucky with his first chance but really should have put us 2-0 up with his header. Poor in the second half.

SUBS:

ELIEZER MAYENDA: 7.5/10

Came on and didn’t look out of place at all, in fact I’d argue he was our brightest spark for most of the time he was on the pitch. A number of good dribbles from him.

WILSON ISIDOR: 6/10

He couldn’t quite get a hold of it, he did have one effort at a difficult angle though.

ROMAINE MUNDLE: N/A

Should have been brought on sooner, didn’t have enough time to make an impact.