News Now:Daniel Farke and Leeds were left frustrated as premier League return task gets tougher

Daniel Farke and Leeds were left frustrated as premier League return task gets tougher. 

 

 

Bring up Sunderland in conversation with seasoned Leeds United fans, and they will undoubtedly recount tales of a historic FA Cup final shock that unfolded

at Wembley in 1973. On that memorable day, a jubilant rival manager dashed onto the revered turf wearing a trilby hat to celebrate an unprecedented victory.

 

Fast forward nearly 51 years, and the odds of another Sunderland triumph against a resurgent Leeds side were not as daunting as they were on that famous afternoon. However, in the context of the

enthralling automatic promotion race in the 2023-24 Championship season, a Sunderland victory would have been a monumental upset – particularly at Leeds’ expense.

 

Ultimately, the match ended in a draw, which itself was somewhat surprising and unwelcome for Leeds United. The

team’s performance following the international break has been lackluster, with the only positive note being Leicester’s unexpected loss to Millwall.

 

The match against Sunderland was not conducive to showcasing United’s highly touted attacking prowess, leaving manager Daniel Farke with some significant selection decisions to ponder ahead of the next fixture.

 

Farke previously spoke about excelling in challenging circumstances, likening it to navigating rough seas. Well, the

waters have become even more turbulent for Leeds United as they navigate through a pivotal phase of the season.

On a night when Leeds aimed to secure a historic tenth consecutive home win across the top two divisions, they fell well short of their usual high standards.

 

Despite this, Leeds should have been granted a lifeline in the final quarter when Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien’s clear handball went unpunished. Leeds could have escaped with a fortunate result, but they did not capitalize.

With only one win in their previous 10 matches and ranked as the second-worst team in the division’s recent 10-match form guide, Leeds were expected to

struggle against a Sunderland side who were in second place. The Championship, as many observers know, can be unpredictable at times.

Sunderland displayed superior tempo and conviction in the first half, with Leeds appearing lackluster and fatigued

following their surprise weekend loss to Coventry. Leeds’ passing was too sideways, and their intensity was worryingly passive.

Sunderland’s defensive setup, featuring a five-man backline with debutant Timothee Pembele and loanee Callum Styles as left wing-back, proved effective.

Their absence of a traditional center-forward was not a hindrance, especially with Jack Clarke causing problems on the flanks.

Defensively, Sunderland restricted the spaces favored by Leeds attackers like Crysencio Summerville, Georginio

Rutter, and Dan James, preventing the hosts from registering a single shot on target in the first half.

 

Although Summerville managed to evade his marker once and Rutter’s shot

narrowly missed, Leeds’ attacking display was desperately disappointing, particularly in front of the Kop end.

The one positive was that Leeds did not concede a goal, despite Sunderland’s growing confidence and the subdued performances of Leeds’ key players.

 

As the first half progressed, Clarke continued to trouble Leeds, particularly posing a challenge for Archie Gray.

Chris Rigg, a young 16-year-old, fired a sharp shot over the goal before Jack Clarke managed to evade Archie Gray and force Illan Meslier to make a save with his legs.

 

Earlier, Clarke had headed over the goal from a well-delivered cross by Timothee Pembele.

 

One potential advantage for Leeds was Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard, who received a yellow card after

committing a couple of fouls on Patrick Bamford and was pushing his luck with further infractions.

 

Leeds needed to showcase their true abilities in 2024, which had been largely successful aside from a recent setback over the weekend.

The second half began without clear signs of change, prompting several home substitutes to start warming up and stretching on the sidelines.

Leeds then raised their game, with appeals for a penalty sounding after Ballard appeared to nudge Dan James in

the box. However, the Leeds player had drifted offside, resulting in the flag being raised.

The ball nearly fell to Crysencio Summerville before reaching Georginio Rutter, who shot over the goal under pressure.

On the defensive end, Ethan Ampadu, who had recovered from illness to start

the match, made an excellent clearance to intercept Clarke’s dangerous cross and make up for his earlier mistake.

 

Leeds continued to press forward, with Summerville’s well-flighted free-kick narrowly missing the near post and finding the side-netting instead.

 

Manager Daniel Farke opted against making substitutions at this stage.

Wilfried Gnonto eventually entered the match in the 71st minute, shortly after

Meslier was called into action to save Patrick Roberts’ free-kick following a foul by Junior Firpo on Trai Hume.

 

Sunderland received a stroke of luck as time ticked away when Luke O’Nien’s apparent handball in the box went

unpunished after a challenge with Joe Rodon following a corner kick. The Leeds players and Farke expressed disbelief at the decision.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes of regular time, further substitutions were made.

 

However, the match ended without a change in the narrative, resulting in no clear winner.

 

Leeds United: Meslier; Gray (substituted for Roberts in the 83rd minute), Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara (substituted for Gnonto in the 72nd

minute); James (substituted for Piroe in the 82nd minute), Rutter, Summerville; Bamford (substituted for Joseph in the

82nd minute). Unused substitutes: Darlow, Cresswell, Cooper, Anthony, Byram.

 

Sunderland: Patterson; Pembele (substituted for Alese in the 68th minute), Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Styles; Rigg (substituted for Roberts in the 59th

minute), Ekwah, Neil, Clarke, Bellingham (substituted for Semedo in the 90+4th minute). Unused substitutes: Bishop, Mundle, Ba, Aouchiche, Hjelde, Dack.

 

Referee: T. Robinson (West Sussex).

 

Related topics: Sunderland

 

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