Leeds United 0-0 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC earned a point on the road at Leeds United on Tuesday evening.
The home side enjoyed more the ball in the opening period, but Jack Clarke went closest in the first half and Illan Meslier had to come to the Whites’ rescue.
Daniel Farke’s side stepped things up following the restart, with Georginio Rutter and Dan James firing off target in quick succession.
The Lads remained a threat on the break and Clarke continued to lead the charge against his former Club, who felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Luke O’Nien handled in the box.
Both sides made changes in the final stages in an attempt to clinch all three points, but it ended goalless at Elland Road as Sunderland earned their third clean sheet in four games.
Mike Dodds made two changes in North Yorkshire, as Timothee Pembele and Callum Styles were named in the starting XI.
Making his first start for the Club, Pembele’s inclusion alongside Styles saw Adil Aouchiche and Leo Hjelde drop to the bench, as Abdoullah Ba replaced Mason Burstow in the squad.
Leeds controlled the possession early on, but the Black Cats were resolute in their resistance and ensured a low-key start to proceedings.
That almost changed when Rutter flashed a 25-yard drive just wide on 18 minutes, with Dan Ballard picking up an early yellow card soon after.
The Lads grew into the game and chances soon fell in the favour, as Chris Rigg fired over the top and Clarke was denied by Meslier on his return to Elland Road.
Clarke was denied again before the break and Patrick Bamford also struck over, with the opening period ending goalless.
Leeds thought they had won a penalty with 53 minutes played, but after colliding with Ballard, Dan James was adjudged to have been in an offside position when the ball was played.
The moment reawakened the Elland Road faithful, and Rutter slashed wide before James also failed to redirect an effort on target from the subsequent corner.
Substitute Patrick Roberts almost had a tap-in shortly after his introduction, but a last-ditch clearance prevented the winger from connecting with Clarke’s cross.
Junior Firpo was booked for a late challenge on Hume, who’s marauding run resulted in a 20-yard free kick that was taken by Roberts and saved by Meslier.
Leeds continued to probe and news of Leicester City’s defeat at Millwall further dialled up the intensity of the closing stages, but the Black Cats refused to be beaten and returned to Wearside with a share of the spoils.
Leeds XI: Meslier, Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Gruev, Kamara (Gnonto 71), James (Piroe 82), Summerville, Rutter, Bamford (Joseph 82).
Subs not used: Darlow, Cresswell, Cooper, Byram, Roberts, Anthony.
Sunderland XI: Patterson, Pembele (Alese 68), Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Styles, Neil, Ekwah, Rigg (Roberts 59), Clarke, Jobe.
Subs not used: Bishop, Hjelde, Ba, Mundle, Aouchiche, Dack, Hemir.