Sunderland Remain Well Placed After Leeds Success
Sunderland remain well placed in the EFL Championship heading into the busy period of festive fixtures after caretaker boss Mike Dodds made it two wins in three games.
Dodds took over following the departure of Tony Mowbray and guided the Vertu Motors-backed side to victory in his first game in charge against West Brom, although the next fixture would provide a sterner challenge in the shape of in-form Leeds United.
Leeds arrived at the Stadium of Light looking to extend a seven-game unbeaten run and after numerous chances for both sides, it was the Black Cats who grabbed the lead with just twelve minutes left to play after Jobe Bellingham nodded in past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Sunderland held out until the final whistle to secure all three points and make it two wins in a row for Dodds before the long trip to the South West to face off against Bristol City.
Despite creating plenty of early chances, Sunderland fell behind when ‘keeper Anthony Patterson was judged to have brought down Taylor Gardner-Hickman in the box and Tommy Conway converted the penalty.
Whilst Sunderland had more of the ball, and three times as many shots, the home side were able to hold firm to take the points with the result meaning the Black Cats now lie seventh in the standings ahead of the pre-Christmas visit of Coventry City.
Sunderland will head for the Midlands with a new man in charge after Michael Beale was named as new Head Coach on a deal to the end of the 2025/26 season, with the former QPR boss returning to the Championship after a spell in Scotland in charge of Rangers.