Habib Diarra’s second-half penalty gave Sunderland a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, lifting the visitors to 11th in the Premier League. The result leaves Sunderland on 40 points, nine ahead of Daniel Farke’s side.
Sunderland, missing first-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs, handed a debut to Melker Ellborg, a £3m January signing from Malmö. The visitors adopted a defensive approach, ceding possession but frustrating Leeds with disciplined positioning and occasional time-wasting. Ellborg had little to do apart from turning an Anton Stach free-kick around the post.
Leeds dominated the ball but struggled to create clear chances. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was well marshalled by Sunderland’s back three of Dan Ballard, Luke O’Nien and Omar Alderete. A second-half strike from Joe Rodon was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
The decisive moment came when Ethan Ampadu was penalised for handball after the ball deflected off his knee. Referee Stuart Attwell awarded the penalty following a VAR review. Diarra’s spot-kick was saved by Karl Darlow but the Senegalese midfielder tucked away the rebound.
“We defended really well,” said Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris. “To win at Leeds means a lot. It was an intense game without oxygen.” Farke remained philosophical: “We were so dominant but lacked concentration in the final pass. It’s really frustrating.”
