Sunderland 0-0 Leeds: wind, a quiet Brobbey return and no breakthrough
The goalless draw at the Stadium of Light leaves Sunderland bottom of the Premier League and winless in six.
Sunderland and Leeds United played out a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, a result that keeps Sunderland bottom of the Premier League and extends their top-flight winless run to six games, according to Sky Sports. Leeds move up to seventh.
A game shaped by the weather
Storm Boelo brought strong winds to the north-east, and Sunderland had an amber wind warning in place. Yahoo Sports reported that neither side settled into a rhythm in the first half and that conditions affected play. Sunderland's Luke O'Nien said the wind played a big part in the match and credited both defences.
The chances
Brian Brobbey, back from injury for the first time since September 20, came closest for Sunderland before the break, but Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford smothered his effort. Yahoo says Trafford stopped him twice. After a brief spell of Leeds pressure early in the second half, Sunderland tested Trafford more and he was fully stretched during a busy ten-minute period, per Yahoo.
At the other end, Sky Sports reports that Sean Longstaff was denied twice late on: once when Robin Roefs tipped a shot wide, and once when an effort was blocked on the line.
There was also a penalty appeal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who started despite being a doubt, went down in the area. VAR cleared the incident, deciding Roefs had got a hand to the ball. Chemsdine Talbi came off the Sunderland bench to a call from the crowd but did not score, Yahoo reports.
What the managers said
Sunderland's Regis Le Bris called it "a positive point" but said his side "deserved a bit more." Leeds boss Daniel Farke described the draw as a "fair outcome" and said his team had a difficult training week with several key players unavailable.
What it means
For Sunderland, a point is a point, but it does not change their position at the foot of the table, and the winless run now stands at six top-flight games. Yahoo's view is that Leeds were below their usual standard but will probably regard this as a point gained rather than two dropped. With the wind doing as much as either attack, a clean sheet apiece was a fair reflection of the afternoon.