Premier League

Sunderland 1 (Adingra 28’)

Leeds United 1 (Calvert-Lewin 47’)

Sunderland: Roefs (GK), Cirkin, Geertruida, Brobbey (Isidor 68’), Rigg (Mayenda 68’), Alderete, Mukiele, Adingra (Mundle 85’), Le Fée, Hume, Xhaka (C). Subs not used: Patterson (GK), Neil, Hjelde, H Jones, J Jones, Tutierov.

Leeds: Perri (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon (Tanaka 31’), Calvert-Lewin (Gnonto 85’), Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Okafor (Nmecha 72’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Piroe, Harrison, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev.

Venue: Stadium of Light

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Tony Harrington

Booked: Hume (Sunderland)

A 2025 to remember drew to a close with Leeds United extending their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches, thanks to a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Behind at the break, man of the moment Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his magnificent goalscoring run to level proceedings in the second half.

Ahead of the encounter on Wearside, Daniel Farke named an unchanged side to the team that beat Crystal Palace previously.

Backed by a fine vocal travelling contingent, the Whites were first to threaten on a bitterly cold afternoon. An incisive move down the right flank resulted in the ball falling at the feet of Anton Stach who forced a necessary low intervention from Black Cats’ stopper Robin Roefs.

United then went desperately close to taking the lead following a scramble inside the penalty area. Landing the way of Noah Okafor, the Swiss attacker saw a close-range strike cannon off a red and white shirt and away from danger.

It was to be the hosts who took the lead, however, when forward Simon Adingra latched onto a pass from Granit Xhaka and found the far corner.

The visitors were forced into an early change on the half-hour mark as Joe Rodon, who had tried to continue following an earlier knock, was unable to carry on and made way for Japan international Ao Tanaka in a change to the system.

Keen to restore parity almost immediately, defender Jaka Bijol rose highest in the middle to meet an out-swinging Stach delivery, powering a header at Roefs who collected well.

Bijol then picked out Calvert-Lewin at the back post who flicked cleverly into the path of Brenden Aaronson. Controlling excellently, the American cut inside and fired beyond the Sunderland keeper, only for the retreating Trai Hume to hack off the line.

Approaching the break and quick feet once more from Aaronson worked a yard of space before fizzing a dangerous ball across the face of goal which the out-stretched Okafor was inches away from meeting.

For all the Whites’ pressure, Sunderland came close to doubling their advantage deep into stoppage time when Brian Brobbey rattled the woodwork with a powerful header meeting Adingra’s cross.

HALF TIME: Sunderland 1-0 Leeds United

Leeds emerged from the interval unchanged and were immediately on the front foot in search of the leveller at the Stadium of Light.

Intricate one-touch play at the back eventually worked its way to Stach who, with a raking long ball out to the right flank, picked out the run of Aaronson.

Marauding into the area, the American crossed into the path of Calver-Lewin who continued his fine goalscoring run with a cultured low finish, making it seven goals in six matches for the England international!

Within moments, the Whites were almost ahead. Okafor’s looping delivery was flicked onto the back post by Aaronson where Jayden Bogle was unable to direct on target.

Bijol was next to test Roefs, flicking a header goalwards from a set-piece, as Farke’s side continued to knock on the Black Cats’ door.

Leeds were on top and a crucial challenge from Stach prevented a counter-attack and instead wrestled back possession deep in the hosts’ half. The ball was worked from the lively Aaronson into the path of Tanaka, lashing a left-footed drive over from the edge of the area.

With just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining, activity from the dugout saw Lukas Nmecha make his return to action from injury, replacing Okafor.

Roefs’ busy afternoon continued shortly afterwards, parrying a rasping Ethan Ampadu drive from distance after excellent tenacity once more from several blue shirts deep into Mackem territory.

A final change from Farke saw the goalscorer Calvert-Lewin make way for Wilfried Gnonto but there were no to be no further clear opportunities before referee Tony Harrington brought an entertaining encounter, and a truly memorable 2025, to a close.

The draw on Wearside extends the Whites’ unbeaten run to five matches, ahead of the trip to Anfield on New Year’s Day to face reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

FULL TIME: Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United