Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1: Strong response to big double setback as star shines again to widen gap — YEP 28/12/25

By Lee Sobot

Leeds United produced a brilliant response to a big double setback to take a 1-1 draw from Sunday’s Premier League clash at Sunderland which has taken the Whites seven points clear of the dropzone.

After going 1-0 down and then losing Joe Rodon to injury, Whites no 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin starred again, netting for the sixth game in a row after brilliant work from the excellent Brenden Aaronson to ensure the Whites bagged a point.

Leeds then created a host of chances to leave with all three points but Sunderland held firm as the spoils were shared.

Sunderland began brightly with an early shot from Simon Adingra deflected wide and a weak header from Nordi Mukiele easily saved by Lucas Perri.

Whites defender Joe Rodon then looked in trouble after being caught late by Brian Brobbey on his ankle but the centre-back was able to continue - at least for now.

Leeds then began to threaten themselves, Anton Stach's weak shot from the edge of the box saved before Noah Okafor went particularly close as his rising shot was deflected over following a brilliant Dominic Calvert-Lewin k.

But Leeds were then dealt what turned out to be a hammer blow in the 24th minute as Rodon was caught by another follow through, this time from Adingra.

The centre-back's foot bent badly, Rodon immediately going to ground and looking in pain but again attempting to continue after receiving treatment.

Rodon, though, was not moving well, the defender helping to clear an attack for a long throw but moving gingerly and soon after the Black Cats took the lead.

A long throw from Mukiele was cleared but only to Granit Xhaka who sent a beautiful reversed pass in behind Jayden Bogle to Adingra who cut inside before producing a lovely finish into the top right corner.

Rodon then quickly sunk to the turf and was replaced by Ao Tanaka with half an hour on the clock.

Leeds responded well, a weak Jaka Bijol header saved from a corner and the Black Cats were then saved by a brilliant goalline clearance from Trai Hume to deny Brenden Aaaronson.

Calvert-Lewin's excellent knockdown in the box teed up Aaronson whose firm low shot flew past keeper Robin Roefs but not Hume who cleared literally on the line.

From more Leeds pressure, Bogle fed Aaronson who worked space for a cross which flew across the goal needing just a touch to convert.

Sunderland, though, ended the half going very close to bagging a second, Brobbey played in one on one but unable to beat Perri who took the striker down but well after his shot had been unleashed.

Moments later, the excellent Adingra again flew away down the left and sent in a pinpoint cross for Brobbey whose powerful header smashed the top of the crossbar before bouncing over.

There were no changes during the break and within two minutes of the restart Leeds had drawn level after a brilliant move was ended by man of the moment Calvert-Lewin.

A superb pass from deep from Stach sent Aaronson away down the right and the American cut inside before sending in a low cross which was perfect for Calvert-Lewin who showed great movement to beat his man before applying a clinical finish.

Moments later, Leeds were inches away from going in front, Okafor’s cross from the left flicked towards the far post by Aaronson towards Bogle whose touch carried the ball wide with Calvert-Lewin in attendance too.

Leeds then survived Sunderland shouts for a penalty following a Bogle challenge but the Whites continued to press for a second goal with Aaronson continually heavily involved.

Just short of the hour mark, a brilliant tackle by Stach allowed Leeds to win the ball on the edge of the Black Cats box and Aaronson’s pull-back teed up Tanaka who blazed a shot wide.

From a corner won by an Ethan Ampadu change, Aaronson himself blazed one over from the edge of the box before Ampadu saw a powerful shot blocked after a brilliant run and pullback from Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Another Leeds corner then ended with Ampadu sending a header over the bar, after which Lukas Nmecha made his return from a hamstring injury in replacing Okafor with 18 minutes left.

The striker was almost played in one-on-one by Calvert-Lewin seconds after his introduction and Ampadu then fizzed in another effort from the edge of the box which was straight at Roefs.

Sunderland then gradually began to threaten again themselves but with time running out, star man Adingra winning another corner from which Omar Alderete sent a header over the bar.

With four minutes left, another superb Calvert-Lewin shift was ended as Willy Gnonto was introduced and Sunderland finished the game strongly but with Leeds defending resolutely en route to taking home a point.