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This video can not be played Sunderland victorious after Leeds concede second-half penalty At a glance Habib Diarra gets winner from penalty spot in second half Goal comes after Ethan Ampadu deemed to have handled the ball after a VAR review Leeds defender Joe Rodon has header ruled out for offside minutes earlier Defeat leaves Leeds six points above relegation zone Sunderland, who give debut to goalkeeper Melker Ellborg, are 11th PLAYER RATINGS Leeds suffered a damaging defeat in their bid to remain in the Premier League as a second-half penalty secured victory for Sunderland at Elland Road. In a game that had lacked quality for long periods, the decisive moment came in the 70th minute when the Black Cats were awarded a spot-kick for handball. It came after referee Stuart Attwell was advised to go to the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) after Leeds skipper Ethan Ampadu appeared to move his arm towards the ball inside the box after initially blocking an attempt by Wilson Isidor. Habib Diarra, subject of a transfer bid by Leeds last summer, was relieved when his poorly-struck penalty hit Karl Darlow on the hip, but the ball squirmed back over the keeper and into the net. It was frustrating for the hosts, particularly after they had a Joe Rodon header disallowed for offside just minutes earlier. Leeds had been the better side until then, but struggled to find quality in the final third, with Sunderland seemingly content to slow the game down. Their best moment came in the first half when Anton Stach's free-kick was pushed behind by Melker Ellborg, who was making his debut in goal following a February move in the absence of the injured Robin Roefs. The Swedish keeper also saved well from Jaka Bijol's close-range header in 12 minutes of added time. A win for 15th-placed Leeds would have provided a huge boost to their survival hopes, but third-bottom West Ham could cut the gap to three points if they win at Fulham on Wednesday. Sunderland, meanwhile, are 11th on 40 points after winning away in the league for the first time since October at Chelsea. 'The hunger is big' - Sunderland want more after reaching 40 points Have your say on Leeds’ performance What did you make of Sunderland’s display? This video can not be played Farke 'frustrated' as 'dominant' Leeds lose to Sunderland This was a frustrating result for Leeds in more ways than one. Firstly there was the result, which could leave them just three points above the drop zone by the end of the week if results elsewhere go against them. Secondly was their annoyance with the officiating, with the home fans clearly aggrieved at what they felt was Sunderland time-wasting from early on, and a perceived lack of action against that. But, ultimately, the home side did not do enough in a game that provided a golden opportunity for them to take a huge step towards securing another season of top-flight football. They had just four of 18 shots on target and did not test Sunderland's debutant keeper Ellborg enough. Rodon's disallowed effort was a big turning point, and boss Daniel Farke made a raft of attacking changes near the end, but the visiting defence held firm. It may not have been pretty but this was an effective away performance by Sunderland that keeps them in the frame for a finish in the European places. Eyebrows may have been raised when boss Regis le Bris opted to use this game to hand Ellborg his debut in goal, but the 22-year-old acquitted himself well, particularly in handling the jeers from the home fans when he was deemed to have been time-wasting. He managed to deal with Leeds' efforts comfortably too as his side gained a battling third win in 13 league games. Sunderland undoubtedly got a degree of fortune for the winner, but looked a more solid and dangerous side when captain Granit Xhaka was introduced 11 minutes into the second half. It has been an impressive top-flight return for the Black Cats, who have now reached the 40-point target that Le Bris wanted and usually guarantees another season of Premier League football. They also finally ended their March madness, having been winless in 17 previous top-flight games during this month since beating QPR in 2012. Habib Diarra scored his third goal for Sunderland since a summer move from Strasbourg, who had rejected a bid from Leeds Focus switches to the FA Cup fifth round for both these teams on Sunday, 8 March as Leeds host Norwich (16: 30 GMT), while Sunderland are at League One Port Vale (13: 30 GMT). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 3rd March 2026 at 22: 10 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Daniel Farke Formation: 4 - 5 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Daniel Farke Formation: 4 - 5 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland High chance of scoring Medium chance of scoring Low chance of scoring Dominant period Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Leeds Leeds United Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions This is the first Premier League meeting between Leeds and Sunderland at Elland Road since August 2002, a 1-0 away win – the Whites have won their other four home games against the Black Cats in the competition. Sunderland are winless in their last three league visits to Elland Road (D2 L1) since a 3-0 win in September 2006. Their most recent game there saw them lose 2-1 in the Championship in February 2025, with Pascal Struijk scoring a brace for the hosts. Five of the last six Premier League matches between two newly promoted sides have been won by the home team (D1); this is as many home wins as the previous 26 between promoted clubs in the division beforehand (6 draws, 15 away wins). Since losing 6-1 to Liverpool in April 2023, Leeds are unbeaten in 22 home evening (7pm or later) league games (W19 D3). They’ve won their last 13 by an aggregate score of 33-7. Sunderland are winless in their last 17 Premier League games played in the month of March (D9 L8) since beating QPR 3-1 in 2012. In the competition’s history, only two sides have had longer winless streaks in a particular month: Leicester City in January (19 from 1999 to 2015) and Fulham in November (20 from 2009 to 2018). Sunderland are winless in their last nine midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (D3 L6), scoring just one goal in that run (Chemsdine Talbi at Liverpool in December). Having won five of their first nine Premier League games this season – going second for the night after their fifth win in October – Sunderland have won just four of their last 19 (D8 L7). Leeds have alternated between winning (5) and not winning (D2 L3) in their last 10 Premier League home games, going down 1-0 to Man City last time out. The five times they’ve failed to win have come against teams currently in the top 6 of the table. From the end of November to the end of December, Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored seven goals from 15 shots in the Premier League, a conversion rate of 47%. Since the turn of the year, he’s netted just twice from 19 shots in the competition (10. 5% conversion). Eliezer Mayenda scored his first league goal since the opening day of the season last time out against Bournemouth. The Spaniard has only scored in back-to-back league games for Sunderland once, doing so in February/March last season in the Championship. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland). Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Dan Ballard (Sunderland). Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Dan Ballard (Sunderland). Offside, Leeds United. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is caught offside. Second Half begins Leeds United 0, Sunderland 0. First Half ends, Leeds United 0, Sunderland 0. Attempt blocked. Anton Stach (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card. Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland). Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Dan Ballard (Sunderland). Attempt blocked. Dan Ballard (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Enzo Le Fée with a cross. Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ilia Gruev. Foul by Jayden Bogle (Leeds United). Trai Hume (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.