Leeds United fell to their second 1-0 home defeat in four days at the hands of Sunderland on Tuesday night. Habib Diarra’s second-half penalty proved the decider on another frustrating evening for Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first-half but made very little of it, with Sunderland happy to soak up pressure and their hosts causing few problems. Joe Rodon headed home Anton Stach’s whipped free-kick midway through the second-half but after a VAR review, it was ruled out for offside.
Minutes later, VAR again intervened to award Sunderland a penalty for an Ethan Ampadu handball which Diarra just about squeezed beyond Karl Darlow. Farke threw on every attacker available to him but despite growing late pressure, Leeds failed to find the breakthrough and were left frustrated for a second home game running.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Karl Darlow
7 - Some lovely passing. Most of his kicking was good in fact. Beyond the penalty didn't have a save. Was unlucky not to keep it out. | AFP via Getty Images
2. RWB: Jayden Bogle
4 - Not close to his best. Struggled to give Leeds much going forward. | Getty Images
3. CB: James Justin
7 - Sacrificed as Leeds went more attacking but was playing well enough. One poor pass aside he was solid. | AFP via Getty Images
4. CB: Joe Rodon
6 - Pretty solid all round. Tried to do his bit to get forward late on. | Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
5 - A little wobbly in the second half, had been fine in the first half. Should have had a penalty. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
5 - A couple of decent runs aside he was poorer than Leeds needed him to be. | Getty Images