Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier made a critical error that allowed Sunderland to level the match during second-half stoppage time after misplaying the ball. Despite the Black Cats getting a draw, the Whites exposed a crucial issue in their promotional rival.
The match kicked off with Chris Rigg putting Sunderland ahead in the ninth minute, making it 1-0. Leeds responded quickly, though, with Joël Piroe scoring the equalizer in the 22nd minute.
The teams went into halftime at 1-1. In the second half, Leeds regained the lead in the 56th minute when Junior Firpo found the back of the net, putting them in a strong position. However, in a dramatic twist during stoppage time, a costly mistake by Meslier allowed Sunderland to equalize
Alan Browne sent in a cross that deflected off Firpo’s head, and as Meslier tried to gather the ball, it slipped through his fingers and into the net, costing Leeds two crucial points.
Did Leeds expose a weakness in Sunderland?
It’s a tight race to win the Championship and finish second, as three points separate first-place Sunderland from fifth-place Leeds. As a result, any weakness can cause a squad to fall into the play-off rather than earn automatic promotion.
Former Sunderland man Marco Gabbiadini has highlighted what he thinks is a “fragility” within the Black Cats that was exposed in the draw against Leeds. Gabbiadini highlighted Leeds United’s strength in depth and resources as opposed to Sunderland’s.
“The depth they’ve got, where last season [Wilfried] Gnonto didn’t start a huge number of games because they had so much talent ahead of him, but when that talent goes they’ve got people like him to step up,” Gabbiadini said (h/t SunderlandAFC.News)
“That’s what you’re getting with a Leeds United and probably if they were challenging halfway through the season and they needed some gaps filling, they’d probably have the money to invest then as well.
“There is a fragility about this group, and it’s not a criticism of anybody, it’s just the strength in depth of so many teams in this league, and how long the season is.”
After the surprising draw against Sunderland, Leeds must bounce back at Elland Road when they face Sheffield United.
