Sunderland 1 Leeds United 0: Star's brilliance in vain and double blow for Whites despite changes — YEP 12/12/23
Tuesday night proved a night to forget for Daniel Farke's Whites.
By Lee Sobot
A Whites star's heroics proved in vain as Leeds United's
fine recent run came to an abrupt end with a 1-0 defeat at Tuesday night's
Championship hosts Sunderland as part of a double blow for Daniel Farke's side.
Keeper Illan Meslier made a world class save to keep out a
header from Jobe Bellingham in a goalless first half but Bellingham ultimately
bagged the only goal of the game with 12 minutes left.
The defeat ended United's seven-game unbeaten run on a night
when automatic promotion rivals Ipswich Town moved top and ten points clear of
Leeds with a 2-1 win at Watford.
Second-placed Leicester City are eight points ahead of the
Whites and now with a game in hand which presents itself tomorrow night at home
to Millwall.
Leeds initially began well at the Stadium of Light and went
close in just the fourth minute through a free-kick from Crysencio Summerville
which was heading for the top right corner before being tipped over the bar by
keeper Anthony Patterson.
On the quarter hour mark, Djed Spence tried his luck on his
full Whites debut with an attempt from the edge of the box that was deflected
well wide. A few moments later, a Georginio Rutter shot was blocked but
ex-Whites ace Jack Clarke was a constant threat for Sunderland who went close
in the 22nd minute through Alex Pritchard whose curler from the edge of the box
flew just wide.
Clarke was causing right back Archie Gray lots of bother and
Gray was booked for taking down the Sunderland winger after great skill down
the left in the 28th minute.
From the subsequent free-kick, only a combination of Whites
‘keeper Meslier, Joe Rodon and then a goal line clearance from centre-back
Pascal Struijk kept out a superb delivery from Pritchard.
But Meslier’s best was yet to come as the Frenchman produced
an absolutely outstanding save from the corner, flying through the air to tip
away Bellingham's header from Pritchard's corner with Leeds now hanging on.
After a brief pause in pressure, Sunderland squandered a
fine chance in the 37th minute as Bellingham sent a free header wide from
another Pritchard corner.
Sunderland then received their first booking a few minutes
later for a late challenge by Luke O'Nien on Joel Piroe but the Black Cats soon
came forward again and Clarke wasted an opening by firing well over the bar
from the edge of the box.
Largely thanks to Meslier, the first half ended goalless and
Farke kept matters as they were during the break, despite Gray being on a
yellow card against the menacing Clarke.
Leeds began the second half on the front foot but a spell of
pressure ended as Ethan Ampadu ballooned a terrible effort miles over from 25
yards out. At the other end, a poor defensive header from Gray fell straight to
another ex-Leeds player in Niall Huggins who blasted his shot straight at
Meslier who saved.
From a subsequent corner, Leeds survived Sunderland shouts
for a penalty as James booted O'Nien as he looked to clear, after which Whites
assistant Eddie Riemer and also Sunderland head of goalkeeping Alessandro
Barcherini were booked on the sidelines.
Leeds looked to get back on top but a tame shot from Glen
Kamara was easily saved. As Pritchard led a dangerous Sunderland counter,
Ampadu took one for the team in pulling him down for a booking and Clarke
blazed a wild effort over shortly after as the Black Cats continued to attack
after the free-kick.
A good Leeds chance then went begging as Joel Piroe got his
feet in a muddle upon connecting to an attempt from Gray, after which
Sunderland countered and James was booked for a foul on Roberts.
But Leeds then countered themselves moments later through
Summerville who raced clear and stayed on his feet despite a pull from Clarke
which halted his momentum and his eventual shot was easily saved by Patterson.
Farke finally called for a double change in the 75th minute
as Jaidon Anthony and Willy Gnonto were brought on for James and Rutter. That
meant Piroe playing upfront but Sunderland were looking the more likely and he
Black Cats went ahead with 12 minutes left through Bellingham who reacted
quickest to Pritchard's header back into the box, beating Gray and applying a
close-range finish.
Farke reacted by making another double change, introducing
Patrick Bamford and young forward Mateo Joseph as Spence and Kamara made way.
The change was made after Summerville had blasted a free kick over the bar but
Sunderland were saved by a goalline clearance in the 89th minute as Piroe's
strike from the middle of the box was hacked away from under the bar.
Leeds then had five minutes of added time to bag an
equaliser but the Black Cats held firm as the Whites fell to their first defeat
since October's 1-0 loss at Stoke City.
