07/10/2024 11:03
The Black Cats went into the game having moved to the head of the standings a week earlier, but faced one of the biggest challenges of the campaign to date against another side chasing promotion to the Premier League.
Sunderland started the game well and could have grabbed the lead when Jobe Bellingham fired over from the edge of the box having been picked out by Patrick Roberts, but it didn’t take long for the Bristol Street Motors-backed side to move ahead.
A well worked move down the right saw the ball end up at the feet of Dennis Cirkin and although his shot was well saved by Illan Meslier, Chris Rigg was on hand to tap in the rebound and secure the lead.
Leeds were struggling to get into the game but managed to draw level after 22 minutes, with a cross from the right from Willy Gnoto being nodded home by Joel Piroe – marking the first time Sunderland had conceded a home goal in the league this season.
The visitors should arguably have hit the front before the break having spurned a number of chances, but did go in front after the break when Junior Firpo beat Antony Patterson with a smart finish from inside the box.
It looked like that would be enough to give Leeds the points until deep into stoppage time when Sunderland were awarded a free-kick on half-way.
Patterson came forwards to launch the ball towards the box and it fell at the feet of Alan Browne, who flicked the ball on in the direction of the goal.
Despite a small deflection off Firpo, the ball should have been collected with ease by Meslier who instead somehow allowed it to go beyond him and into the net to give Sunderland a point.
The point keeps Regis Le Bris and his side on top of the table ahead of a trip to Hull City after the international break.