Overview
- Habib Diarra converted a 70th-minute penalty after referee Stuart Attwell, sent to the monitor by VAR, ruled Ethan Ampadu handled Wilson Isidor’s shot.
- Leeds saw Joe Rodon’s 64th-minute header disallowed for offside on VAR review, and earlier claims for a foul on Pascal Struijk at a corner were not upgraded.
- Sunderland’s winner was their only shot on target, ending a nine-match away league winless run at Elland Road.
- Melker Ellborg, starting due to Robin Roefs’ injury, impressed on his Premier League debut with important saves in a tight, scrappy contest.
- The result lifts Sunderland to 40 points and 11th place, while Leeds stay 15th, six above the drop with several rivals holding games in hand.