Premier League
Leeds United 0
Sunderland 1 (Diarra pen 70’)
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle (Piroe 84’), Gudmundsson (Bijol 84’), Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Gnonto 74’), Stach, Justin (James 74’), Gruev (Nmecha 62’). Subs not used: Perri (GK), Longstaff, Tanaka, Bornauw.
Sunderland: Ellborg (GK), Ballard, Geertruida (Xhaka 55’), Angulo (Traoré 88’) (Rigg 90’), Mayenda (Isidor 56’), O’Nien (C), Alderete, Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fée, Hume. Subs not used: Moore (GK), Talbi, Aleksic, H Jones, J Jones.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,713
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Booked: Gnonto (Leeds) O’Nien, Diarra, Alderete (Sunderland)
Leeds United fell to a narrow defeat on home soil against Sunderland, edged out by a second-half penalty at Elland Road.
Ahead of kick off, Daniel Farke named an unchanged starting XI and substitutes bench from the weekend’s clash with Manchester City.
The Whites had started brightly under the lights and an early Ethan Ampadu long throw was headed away to the edge of the area which the onrushing Gabriel Gudmundsson lashed wide on the half-volley.
Pascal Struijk then had appeals for a penalty turned away after being grappled and sent tumbling to the ground when looking to attack a set-piece, with opportunities proving sparse for United despite dominating possession.
Just after the half-hour mark, midfielder Anton Stach, attempting to add another fine free kick to this season’s catalogue, let fly from 25 yards out and forced a diving save from Black Cats’ stopper Melker Ellborg.
After the German wrestled back the ball from Sunderland’s Omar Alderete, Leeds worked it into the middle yet, through a sea of bodies, Jayden Bogle was unable to direct his effort on target.
The Whites still had to be wary to the threat the visitors offered, however, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Justin were on hand to collectively block and then clear a Dan Ballard header towards the back post.
Moments prior to the break, Stach powered another free kick at goal but the Sunderland wall stood firm, before referee Stuart Attwell brought proceedings to a halt.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Sunderland
United emerged from the interval unchanged and pressed intently as they searched for an opener. A dangerously whipped in Stach delivery almost caused problems for Sunderland, who managed to clear after an Ellborg punch.
Following a similarly attritional opening to the second period, first activity from the dugout saw Lukas Nmecha introduced into the action, replacing Ilia Gruev in an attacking change.
The Whites thought they had taken the lead when Joe Rodon headed in from close range, latching onto a Stach cross, yet after a VAR check, the Welshman was adjudged to have been in an offside position.
Following a second check in quick succession, this time the visitors were awarded a penalty after an alleged handball inside the area. Up stepped Habib Diarra who found the back of the net from 12 yards out.
Keen to restore parity quickly, Jayden Bogle drilled a right-footed strike from distance which was dealt with by Ellborg. Moments later, Daniel James and Willy Gnonto were brought on from the bench.
Wales international James almost conjured an equaliser immediately, flashing an enticing low ball across the face of goal which evaded everyone in a white shirt in the middle.
Driving in-field from the left flank, Gnonto then darted past Luke O’Nien but from the edge of the area the Italian dragged a strike wide of the upright.
Final alterations came in the form of Joël Piroe and Jaka Bijol as the Whites threw everything at the Black Cats, including two sights of goal for the Slovenian defender, but the full-time whistle sounded with the visitors’ clean sheet in tact.
Attentions now turn to Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round clash with Norwich City at Elland Road, with a place in the quarter-final at stake.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Sunderland
