Leeds United and Premier League's bad day, Sunderland pair's resolute answer and off-camera moments

Losing any home game is disappointing when you’ve been as good as Leeds have at Elland Road this season, but dropping one in the manner they did against Sunderland was maddening for the support. This was a game to be grabbed by the scruff and even if Leeds dominated possession, they rarely carved the visitors open. It took an inexplicable Ethan Ampadu handball - rightly given by VAR - and a scruffy penalty for Sunderland to take the points but they defended with their lives all night, with a makeshift team to boot. Here’s the YEP take.

Good day

Regis Le Bris. Whatever you think of the tactics, the gameplan or the time wasting, the Sunderland manager brought an injury-ravaged squad to Elland Road and got revenge for last season's late heartbreak against Leeds. As an attacking force Sunderland were poor but as a defensive unit they gave their manager everything. The way they frustrated Leeds in the first half particularly was painful to watch for home fans but exactly what Le Bris wanted.

Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete. The Sunderland centre-halves won four and eight aerial battles respectively, made 27 clearances between them and blocked eight shots. Leeds might not have asked a real variety of questions of the defensive duo but the answer was a resolute no almost every time the hosts got the ball into the area.

Bad day

Daniel Farke. When it works you're a genius and when it doesn't you're a dunce, such is the strength of feeling and over-the-top reaction to results, but it didn't work against Sunderland. The VAR complaint was a fair one and the time wasting was scandalous at times but Leeds didn't do enough. The team selection maybe wasn't brave enough, the way they played in possession at times certainly wasn't. And the game was crying out for change at half-time, let alone the hour mark when he sent on Lukas Nmecha.

The Premier League. The best league in the world offered up an absolute stinker of a game. Their product is being harmed by too many games infested by time wasting nonsense and poor officiating. Someone at some stage has to act to clean up the game and get the ball in play a little more. Complain about Sunderland all you like but most of what they did was within the laws of the game.

VAR. Pascal Struijk was fouled in the penalty area. Anywhere else on the pitch and the whistle goes instantly for a free-kick. Luke O'Nien's arms were around the Leeds defender's neck. Plain as day. The force he applied is in question but the foul is not.

Off-camera moments

Ilia Gruev starching a beautiful left-foot finish past Lucas Perri in the shooting drills prior to the end of Leeds' warm-up. The keepers got an element of revenge when Alex Cairns almost nonchalantly stuck out a hand and palmed Jayden Bogle's drive over the bar. Gruev was back at it seconds later, sending an effort into the top right-hand corner.

Sean Longstaff setting himself up for the worst volley he might ever have hit in his life, before stealing Ao Tanaka's ball to line up another shot. As Tanaka laughed at the workplace bullying, Longstaff shot wide.

Noah Okafor in a giant puffer jacket being escorted around the pitch to the East Stand by one of the Leeds' first team security staff, stopping to pose for a photo and fist bumping fans in the West Stand.

Jermaine Beckford copying Longstaff's first half cheekiness and pretending to steal the towel as he finished his half-time media duties for the broadcaster.

Willy Gnonto laughing as O'Nien limped gingerly for a few steps after being fouled and then ran properly, further winding up the Elland Road crowd.

Struijk spending time with the officials at full-time making complaints. Farke was unwilling to engage after his recent experience with Peter Bankes.