Sunderland dig deep to end in-form Leeds' run

Published on: 12 December 2023

Jobe Bellingham's goal was his fourth of the season for Sunderland

Teenage midfielder Jobe Bellingham was again Sunderland's hero as they ended Leeds United's seven-game unbeaten run with a superb Championship victory to make it two from two for interim head coach Mike Dodds.

Leeds' fearsome form under Daniel Farke, with three wins in a row during their in-form sequence, made them a daunting opponent but the Wearsiders executed a game plan to neutralise the attacking threat that brought them eight goals in those victories.

It took until 12 minutes to go for the deadlock to be broken, after lots of chances at either end, as Bellingham bravely put his head in where it hurts with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier out to smother, and guided it into the net.

Before that it was both goalkeepers who had stood out with some hugely important saves, notably Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson tipping over Crysencio Summerville's sizzling free-kick while Leeds' Meslier pawed away a seemingly goalbound Jenson Seelt header with a full-stretch palm away.

Trai Hume's off-the-line clearance from Joel Piroe late on typified Sunderland's doggedness, not allowing Leeds the chance to collect a point they craved.

Relive Tuesday's Championship action

The scenes at full-time showed just how highly regarded Dodds is, having been part of the Sunderland set-up under former boss Tony Mowbray, and had his fingertips on preparations before and since Mowbray's exit.

What Dodds' tactical set-up did was deny space, time and freedom to Leeds' attacking quartet of Piroe, Georginio Rutter and notably wide players James and Summerville, who have been so effective in recent games.

Just as they did against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, Sunderland got things right in terms of the formation and the tweaks made during the game too.

Niall Huggins and Hume were suffocatingly tight on the flanks, while the relentless press of Dan Neil, Bellingham and Abdoullah Ba through the middle continually broke up play and got amongst the anchoring midfield base of Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu.

And, for all the talk of the need for a striker, Bellingham was on hand to make the difference up top, as subs Patrick Roberts and midfield enforcer Pierre Ekwah added extra energy and drive off the bench.

For all it was a defensive masterclass at times, it was still an open and entertaining game with it, as both sides racked up excellent chances.

Summerville's free-kick had Patterson sprawling, Djed Spence raised Sunderland anxieties with a curling effort just wide and Bellingham dived to block Piroe's fierce effort before Hume turned the ball off the line late on.

Sunderland's Jack Clarke was a thorn in his old club's side, tempting Archie Gray into a foul that earned the full-back a booking, and provided a menacing outlet for the hosts.

Seelt's header brought the best from Meslier, while Bellingham should have done better when he headed wide after a Sunderland corner, and they might had a spot kick for a foul on Luke O'Nien had referee Dean Whitestone seen it differently.

Leeds have shown in their form that they will be a promotion contender despite missing out on a fourth straight win for the first time since 2020-21's Premier League campaign, and with results like this, Sunderland could well be joining them in that pack.

Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsSunderland

Formation 3-4-3

1Patterson23Seelt5Ballard13O'Nien32Hume7Bellingham24Neil2Huggins17Ba21Pritchard20Clarke

Booked at 40mins

Substitutes

10Roberts11Burstow12Mayenda15Rusyn22Aouchiche25Triantis30Bishop39Ekwah46Dack

Leeds

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Meslier22Gray14Rodon21Struijk39Spence4Ampadu8Kamara20James7Piroe10Summerville24Rutter

Booked at 28mins

Booked at 64mins

Booked at 70mins

Substitutes

2Ayling6Cooper9Bamford12Anthony28Darlow29Gnonto30Gelhardt44Gruev49Joseph

Referee:Dean WhitestoneAttendance:40,531Match StatsHome TeamSunderlandAway TeamLeedsPossessionHome38%Away62%ShotsHome11Away12Shots on TargetHome3Away4CornersHome6Away3FoulsHome12Away8Live Text Post update

Match ends, Sunderland 1, Leeds United 0.

90'+6'Full Time

Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Leeds United 0.

90'+5'Post update

Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United).

90'+5'Post update

Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.

90'+2'Post update

Foul by Mateo Joseph (Leeds United).

90'+2'Post update

Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+1'Substitution

Substitution, Sunderland. Bradley Dack replaces Alex Pritchard.

89'Post update

Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Jobe Bellingham.

89'Post update

Attempt blocked. Joël Piroe (Leeds United) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.

85'Post update

Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

85'Post update

Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).

83'Post update

Foul by Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United).

83'Post update

Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

82'Substitution

Substitution, Leeds United. Mateo Joseph replaces Djed Spence.

81'Substitution

Substitution, Leeds United. Patrick Bamford replaces Glen Kamara.

81'Post update

Attempt missed. Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.

80'Post update

Djed Spence (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

80'Post update

Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).

78'goalGoal!

Goal! Sunderland 1, Leeds United 0. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alex Pritchard with a headed pass.

77'Post update

Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United).

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Source: bbc.com

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