Leeds United 2 Sunderland FC 1 – that Struijk and Rothwell combination. Leeds turn around a sluggish performance to outwit Sunderland with a last gasp goal from that Struijk and Rothwell combination. Seven points clear of Burnley in third place the crowd celebrated like a cup final win.
This was far from Leeds’ best performance. After three masterful wins Leeds looked complacent and sluggish. It had the hallmarks of a number of matches over the last twelve months when the opposing team defend well, snatch a counter attacking goal, and then slow the match down to spin out a win. But once Struijk and Rothwell were subbed on, the game turned, as Leeds played offensive football, stayed calm and won with a set piece free kick and corner.
The consequences of losing to Sunderland were twofold – dropping to second place and allowing Burnley to close the gap. No pressure then. But Leeds did not buckle. With the match drifting away an inspired substitution turned the game on its head. Once the first goal went in the crowd smelled victory.
Since the Burnley bore draw the Leeds team has clicked and gone into overdrive with fans complaining if they don’t score more than three goals in a match. This is Leeds at their most entertaining this season so far – even Struijk cannot get a starting place. If the opposition comes out to play against Leeds then James and Solomon tear down the wings behind their defence the cut back for the goals to go in. If the team chooses to defend in numbers like Burnley did, then it is a challenge but with Leeds typically scoring early defending is pointless.
With yet another Burnley draw at the weekend Leeds just needed that win to clock up more points and keep the race for automatic promotion down to them and Sheffield United. Not as easy as it sounds though – this is the first of three tough matches, with Sheffield United (away) next, followed by West Brom at home.
Sunderland FC were unbeaten so far in the league in 2025. This was always going to be a tight game with Sunderland looking to cement their position in the play-offs. After an embarrassing draw earlier in the season – due to Meslier’s failure to collect a simple ball – this was his chance to make amends.
Sunderland were more than a match for Leeds in the first hour – testing Meslier within minutes of the start of the first and second half, containing Leeds from shooting on target, and attacking with pace that Leeds struggled with.
Meslier had a good game overall – an early double save and comfortable collected a number of shots on target. Ampadu was at fault for Leeds losing their clean sheet as Isidore rounded him and found the net from the goal post. Gruev, however, was poor with corners and free kicks. James and Solomon were largely nullified on the wings and a crowded defence limited Aaronson and Piroe from shooting. Tanaka, desperate to score, looked frustrated as his shots went astray.
With Leeds pushed back in the first half they needed to up their game. Despite winning second balls Sunderland slowed the match down and fouled Leeds out of their rhythm.
With Struijk and Rothwell subbed on their set piece goal changed the game. A Rothwell free kick found Struijk running in to score with the faintest of headers. In the dying seconds of extra time Leeds won a corner and Rothwell sent in another dangerous ball; when the ball came back in Struijk again ran in to the head the ball home. The stadium erupted like they had won a cup final. Struijk and Farke booked for celebrating. It has been a long time (Leicester last season?) since I have seen the team this happy. There is a sense this is our season.
Man of the match: Struijk and Rothwell for their set piece corner for the goal – not once but twice.
