Leeds United shape shifting, press conference blushes and off-camera moments at Sunderland — YEP 29/11/25
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United's shape shifting continues to bring rewards in
the Premier League after a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
Leeds United are unbeaten in five games and Dominic
Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of them. The striker got his seventh in six
straight outings to help Leeds come back from a goal down to take a point at
the Stadium of Light.
Here's the YEP take.
Good day
Daniel Farke: Once again the German changed his formation
and tweaked the approach and once again it worked. Leeds were a lot better in
the second half after his hairdryer treatment and the result, a point, was one
anyone would have taken prior to kick-off. Very few teams have got the better
of Sunderland but Leeds made them look poor at times, especially in that period
of the second half that held such dominance. The 3-5-2 still feels important
for Leeds but being able to switch and still play nice football is just as
vital.
Brenden Aaronson: The American was named Player of the Match
and even if that should have gone to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson wasn't far
behind. He has shown in the last two games that there are lots of very useful
things he can do in the Premier League. His assist for Calvert-Lewin was lovely
and he was unlucky not to score himself. That wasn't the end of the problems he
caused for Sunderland.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: He cannot stop scoring goals. His
performances have been consistently good this season and the goals are the
cherry on the Christmas cake. Long may he feast on balls into the six-yard box.
Bad day
Joe Rodon: To be on the receiving end of one of those
questionable challenges was unlucky, to get caught twice was a nightmare.
Though he should have come off before Sunderland scored, he is not the type to
throw the towel in easily. He was always going to try and run it off. For the
first time Farke is now looking at league games without his Welsh centre-back.
Jayden Bogle: His manager is not going to let him forget
that second half miss. We know as much because after the game Farke brought up
Bogle's miss at Burnley earlier this season. The right-back came under some
real pressure defensively too on a tough day at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland v Leeds United off-camera moments
Lukas Nmecha appearing with the squad as they arrived at the
Stadium of Light, signalling his return to fitness and Premier League action.
The striker was moving sharply as he sprinted away from the substitutes' rondo
and seemed in high spirits as he blasted two balls at Willy Gnonto.
Ethan Ampadu screaming a message to the Leeds subs
immediately prior to the Sunderland goal. It related to Joe Rodon who was
clearly struggling and needing to go down or come off. Ampadu seemed to tell
him to go down but he played on and then after the goal was substituted.
Gnonto going straight down the tunnel at full-time, then
reappearing to go and applaud the travelling fans.
Leo Hjelde having a quick catch up with Brenden Aaronson.
One of the local press pack apologising for his husky
seasonal-illness effected voice, only for Farke to accuse him on having a
'proper Christmas.' Farke then ended his press conference by ordering the
journalist in question to be more disciplined on New Year's Eve.
