Report: Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 2 (Struijk 78’, 90+5’)

Sunderland 1 (Isidor 32’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Firpo (Byram 90+2’), Ampadu (C), Rodon, James, Piroe, Aaronson (Joseph 78’), Solomon (Ramazani 78’), Tanaka (Struijk 71’), Gruev (Rothwell 71’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Guilavogui, Gnonto, Schmidt.

Sunderland: Patterson (GK), Cirkin, Neil (C), Ballard, Bellingham, Roberts (Poveda 86’), Rigg (Samed 75’), O’Nien, Isidor (Mayenda 75’), Le Fee, Hume. Subs not used: Moore (GK), Browne, Mundle, Mepham, Aleksic, Hjelde.

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Booked: Tanaka, Bogle, Firpo (Leeds) Isidor, Bellingham, Hume, Patterson, O’Nien, Cirkin (Sunderland)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,804 (2,898)

Leeds United produced a dramatic comeback to secure a big three points at home to Sunderland, sending a packed-out Elland Road into raptures with a last-minute winner under the lights.

With the away side starting strongly, Illan Meslier made an excellent double save after just two minutes had been played. First of all the ‘keeper denied Jobe Bellingham, before saving again seconds later from Patrick Roberts who followed up on the rebound.

The Whites were pushing forward and did have shots on the visiting goal, but many were blocked. The result was set-play opportunities, but again the away side stood firm to clear.

Sunderland went into the lead after half an hour had been played. A long ball forward released Wilson Isidor and the striker used his strength to collect the ball and create space to shoot, firing in low off the foot of the post.

A stop-start half saw three yellow cards, too. Ao Tanaka and Jayden Bogle were booked for the Whites, whereas Isidor, the away goalscorer had all found his way into the notepad.

Approaching the interval, Leeds then had a good chance. Junior Firpo’s deep ball into the box saw Dan James rise highest and get his header on target, but on the line to clear away was Luke O’Nien.

The sound of Stuart Attwell’s whistle ended the opening 45 minutes with Sunderland a goal ahead, as the teams returned to the dressing rooms.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Sunderland

No changes were made on either side as the teams returned back onto the pitch for the second half, with Daniel Farke’s side looking to find a way back onto level terms.

Leeds were seeing plenty of the ball and pushing forward, but the visitors were holding a strong defensive line of players to keep them out.

Closest to levelling was Tanaka. Manor Solomon and Firpo linked up down the wing and found the midfielder in space on the edge of the box, allowing him to look up, then curl just wide of the post.

Going close and forcing Anthony Patterson to make a good save was Joel Piroe. The striker cut inside on his left-foot and struck a powerful effort, from which the ‘keeper pushed away at full-stretch.

Farke then went to his bench with 20 minutes to play and the changes would make all the difference. Joe Rothwell and Pascal Struijk entered the action, replacing Tanaka and Ilia Gruev.

Rothwell’s influence was instant, as was fellow his fellow sub. The midfielder took over set-play duties and it brought about an equaliser, as he whipped in a cross for Struijk to flick home a header and level the scores!

Straight after the goal, Farke made another double switch. Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani came on this time, with Brenden Aaronson and Solomon going off.

With the clock ticking over 90 minutes, another five were added with the scores still level, and all of those minutes would be used to produce another memorable moment.

Yet again it was the two substitutes combining, as Rothwell drilled another cross into the box and Struijk was there again to rise through bodies and head home the stoppage time winner!

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland