Premier League 2

Leeds United 2 (Roberts pen 16’, Huggins 65’)

Sunderland 0

Leeds: Casilla, Drameh, Davis (Shackleton 46’), Jenkins, Cresswell, Casey, Costa (Poveda 46’), Huggins, Gelhardt, Roberts (Greenwood 31’), Summerville. Subs not used: Caprile, Kenneh.

Mark Jackson’s Under-23s side made it six wins on the bounce, overcoming a hard-working Sunderland side at Thorp Arch.

A goal in each half secured the points, as Tyler Roberts’ first half penalty was added to when Niall Huggins smashed home in the second period. 

Beginning the match on the front-foot, Leeds could have gone ahead almost instantly. Anthony Patterson - Sunderland’s goalkeeper - had to be in fine form to deny efforts from Helder Costa and Joe Gelhardt, who both hit powerful strikes on target. 

Costa went close again, cutting inside and striking the post, before the Whites were offered the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot as Gelhardt was chopped down. Tyler Roberts stepped up confidently and slotted home, sending Patterson the wrong way.  

United were now dominating and showing why they were top of the table. Roberts was brought off after half an hour, with former Black Cat Sam Greenwood coming on for him.

Gelhardt and Costa would both go close again, but no further goals would arrive in a 45 minute spell that Leeds had totally dominated and stopped the visitors from leaving their own half, resulting in them having no shots on Kiko Casilla’s goal.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Sunderland

Jackson made two changes to his side at the break, a common occurrence for regular viewers of the Under-23s. Ian Poveda and Jamie Shackleton entered the action in place of Helder Costa and Leif Davis.  

This would cause an issue just a few minutes into the half as following a challenge in the middle of the pitch, Ian Poveda picked up an injury and had to come off. That left Leeds playing with 10 men for the remaining half an hour of the match. 

The man advantage did change the game. Sunderland were now looking more of an attacking threat on Casilla’s goal and that meant the ‘keeper was called into action for the first time in the game. 

Cieran Dunne and Stephen Wearne would both test the ‘keeper, but he stood firm on each occasion and denied the visitors a way back into the game. 

However, a trademark and impressive counter-attack allowed the Whites to double the lead. Shackleton burst clear down the right-wing and showed his ability by pulling the ball back into the box where Huggins collected, and smashed home to make it two.  

A flurry of yellow cards and the occasional half-chance did arrive following the second, but nothing would change the scoreline as Leeds secured another three points and extended their lead at the top of the division to 10 points.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Sunderland

Booked: Gelhardt, Shackleton (Leeds)

Venue: Thorp Arch