Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1: Joe Rodon injury key as shape-shifters claim valuable away point — Yorkshire Post 28/12/25

By Stuart Rayner

Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1 An injury to Joe Rodon twisted Leeds United's post Christmas game one way then the other as they took a valuable at the home of one of only two Premier League teams unbeaten on their own turf this season – but felt they should have had more.

In a strange game, Sunderland could be disappointed because they could have put the game to bed in the first half, but did well to take a point with eight key players missing.

Leeds showed great character on a very difficult away ground, but as manager Daniel Farke pointed out: “No dancing tonight because it was definitely also possible to win.” Leeds have improved massively since switching to three centre-backs but changing formation again in games has often been decisive. So it was in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

The Black Cats were banging at the door when their visitors were in a 3-4-1-2 and an injury to centre-back Rodon opened it for them, but the switch following the Welshman's overdue substitution saw them dominate the last hour, with only a seventh goal in six games for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to show for it.

Manager Farke calls Rodon his “warrior” but in hindsight it would have been better had he accepted defeat after a second thumping challenge in the opening quarter.

Maybe a fully-fit Rodon would have got much tighter to Sunderland goalscorer Simon Adringra.

But as at home to Liverpool, the switch to a back four was the key to a valuable point.

Sunderland were missing six players at the Africa Cup of Nations but the one overlooked by Ivory Coast, Adingra, played a crucial part.

From the start the Black Cats were intense but neat, to the point where Leeds could not get out of their own half until Ethan Ampadu booted to no one in particular after three minutes of front-footed football, long throw-ins and corners.

Despite that, Leeds' first attack ended with the first save of note, by Robin Roefs after 10 minutes, albeit it was not difficult for him.

Brenden Aaronson overhit a cross after Noah Okafor played him in a couple of minutes later, then the latter hit a shot at Nordi Mukiele when Calvert-Lewin found him.

But it was the exception to the rule, Litsharel Geertruda passing when most would have liked him to shoot as the ball was dummied.

The crucial moment came in the 24th minute and involved Adingra.

Joe Rodon had been clattered by Brian Brobbey in the opening minutes, and Adingra did it again, Rodon's leg appearing to twist painfully as he kicked through the winger.

Leeds kept the centre-back on and within minutes Granit Xhaka was playing a sumptuous reverse pass to Adringra, running free down Rodon's channel, as Leeds failed to deal properly with a long throw-in. Adingra's finish was exquisite.

Rodon was substituted before the game restarted and the visitors switched from 3-4-1-2 to a lopsided 4-1-4-1.

They looked better for it, Jaka Bijol heading at Roefs at an Anton Stach corner, then Stach – taking his turn to run into the void in front of Jayden Bogle on the right – had a shot deflected.

Aaronson played a one-two with Calvert-Lewin and beat Roefs in the 39th minute, Trai Hume getting back to clear off the goalline.

Okafor shot wide and then just failed to stretch to a cross whipped in by Aaronson.

But Sunderland could have come in 2-0 up at the break, Brobbey fluffing his chance one-on-one with an initially hesitant Lucas Perri, then thumping a header onto the bar.

Yet Leeds started the second half as Sunderland had the first, and quickly got their reward.

A move which began at the feet of Perri and ended with Calvert-Lewin. Pascal Strruijk played a good one-two with Gabriel Gudmundsson and Okafor a lovely ball inside which ended up being swept to Aaronson.

When Leeds' best player on the day put a ball in along the ground, Calvert-Lewin was more alert than Mukiele, nipping in front to score.

Bogle ought to have doubled the lead in the 50th minute but when Aaronson headed on Okafor's cross it hit him and went wide. When Stach won the ball high up after some sloppiness by Adingra, a stretching Tanaka put Aaronson's lay-off wide.

Okafor, Stach and Ampadu all hit shots into defenders. Leeds tried shuffling the pack with substitutions without fundamentally changing their new shape, but were unable to find a winner.

It could have been better, but for a team who have only taken away points off Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford this season, it was another sign that they continue to move in the right direction in their quest for safety.