Leeds United winner humbled, Firpo's West Stand rage, full-time flashpoint and off-camera Sunderland moments — YEP 18/2/25
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Monday night’s
dramatic victory against Sunderland.
Leeds United's late, late show against Sunderland provided
Elland Road with yet more fireworks and took the Whites' unbeaten Championship
run to 15 games. Recent victories have been far more comfortable but this was
perhaps the most memorable of 2025 so far thanks to the manner in which the
points came. Pascal Struijk's headed goals, on 78 and 95 minutes, from Joe
Rothwell deliveries, broke Sunderland hearts after they led from the 32nd
minute. Here's the YEP take on Monday night’s thrilling 1-0 success against the
Black Cats.
Good day
Pascal Struijk
Held back from the starting XI, Struijk has had to bide his
time as he returns from injury. But this was the substitute cameo of dreams for
the centre-back. He was brought on for a specific reason and delivered
perfectly with those two headers. The case to start him at Sheffield United and
Ethan Ampadu's subsequent move back into midfield, is a compelling one.
Joe Rothwell
It did not escape the loanee's notice that there was a
feeling that he was being brought in to make up numbers as a loanee from
Bournemouth. He has proved beyond doubt that he was brought to Leeds to be so
much more. The two crosses for Struijk's goals were perfect but he was good on
the ball in open play too.
Daniel Farke
His substitutions and a tendency to wait until the 70th
minute to intervene has brought flak this season so who could begrudge him a
little satisfaction after his double swap proved so effective? He has Leeds
ticking along quite brilliantly at the minute.
Bad day
Sunderland AFC. Having led for so long it was heartbreaking
for the visitors to concede an equaliser, never mind the 95th-minute winner.
Some of Regis Le Bris' men looked out on their feet towards the end as Leeds
just kept probing for a winner. The quality and depth Leeds have in their squad
told and that 10-point gap between the sides looks cavernous now.
Off-camera moments
Former Whites player Ian Poveda greeting ex-Blackburn Rovers
team-mate Joe Rothwell and catching up with Mateo Joseph and Pascal Struijk as
the two teams arrived and went out to inspect the pitch at Elland Road.
First team security supremo Martin Sykes getting a laugh
from Sam Byram as they walked into Elland Road.
An animated Ethan Ampadu giving Brenden Aaronson a dig on
the arm as they lined up together to start warming up.
Karl Darlow imparting some wisdom to Illan Meslier as the
goalkeepers took a quick breather between sections of their warm-up routine.
World darts number one Luke Humphries popping up under the
West Stand prior to the game.
Manor Solomon shooting a bemused look over his shoulder at
Byram after the full-back beaned his colleague in the head with a pass intended
for someone else during the possession game.
Ao Tanaka doing his now customary extra sprints after the
possession game. The Japan international then seared a shot into the top corner
effortlessly with very little backlift, drawing an admiring look of shock from
keeper coach Ed Wootten.
Willy Gnonto helping Isaac Schmidt with his hood and snoodie
combo as the pair went out to warm up during the first half.
Pascal Struijk making good natured-looking complaints to the
assistant referee as the teams and officials came out for the second half.
Firpo's urgency exploding in a split second of rage as the
ball went into the West Stand and was juggled by various Leeds fans trying to
get hold of it to return it, only for one to hold it a second too long for the
left-back's liking.
Largie Ramazani celebrating in the face of Sunderland
captain Dan Neil at the full-time whistle. There had been a flashpoint in the
aftermath of Leeds' winner and when the whistle went Ramazani held his arms out
wide to a kneeling Neil, prompting an angry response and drawing a crowd before
they were separated.
Referee Stuart Attwell having a lengthy chat with Leeds head
of first team operations Matt Robertshaw on his way off. Robertshaw then went
for a talk with Farke on the pitch as the players went on a lap of honour.