Joe Cowan: 6/10
Had a couple of shots straight at him in the first half and was beaten twice after the break, no chance with the second and almost kept the back post header out that made it 3-2.
Jenson Jones: 9/10
Had a really good game at right back and showed why he has been on the fringes of the first team lately, defended well and caused problems when he went forward. Did really well in injury time to shrug off a defender who was desperately trying to foul him and then pick out Waters at the back post for a tap in.
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Finlay Holcroft: 6/10
The home side dominated the game, leaving the two centre backs with little to do for the majority of the game but Holcroft was solid enough.
Ben Kindon: 6/10
Like his centre back partner Kindon, was not really tested although he read the game well to make blocks when needed.
Archie Lightfoot: 8/10
Had left back locked down, allowing little room for Leeds going forward and got forward whenever the opportunity arose, including making an overlapping run and then a good ball into Harrison Jones for the second of the game.
Jaydon Jones: 8/10
Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he ran onto Abdullahi’s lay off to steer the ball agonisingly wide of the far post and played a lovely through ball to the overlapping Lightfoot for the second goal. Made the home side tick in the middle of the pitch.
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Harrison Jones (C): 7/10
A tidy display in midfield and got himself forward to make it 2-0 with a fine finish into the top corner.
Jack Whittaker: 9/10
Was tenacious off the ball, winning the ball back on numerous occasions, one of which led to Jaydon Jones’ chance, and came close himself a few times. Was involved in the third goal when his shot was spilled to Abdullahi and then got a deserved goal himself, getting on the end of Geragusian’s ball to finish past the goalkeeper.
Milan Aleksic: 7/10
Worked hard on the left, getting up and down the line. Tested the Leeds goalkeeper after cutting inside in the first half and then created a chance with a lovely bit of skill and a good cross down the left after the break.
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Abdoullah Ba: 6/10
Played a couple of good one-twos down the right wing that set teammates away and made a good defensive header from a corner, struggled to get involved though.
Ahmed Abdullahi: 9/10
Opened the scoring after capitalising on a loose ball, taking a touch and blasting a shot into the near post and made it 3-0 with a poacher’s finish, following up after Whittaker’s shot was saved. Had a left-footed effort saved in the first half and made a couple of really clever lay offs for teammates that set up chances.
Substitutes
Finn Geragusian: 7/10
Caused Leeds lots of problems with his strong running and physical play after replacing Ba at half time. Got an assist with a lovely reverse ball to Whittaker for the fourth goal.
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Charlie Dinsdale: 6/10
Was really good on the ball after coming on and looked dangerous on the left flank.
Jake Waters: 6/10
Wrapped up the scoring when he tapped in from close range in injury time.
Liam Hunt: 6/10
Sat in front of the back four and spread the ball around after he replaced Harrison Jones in midfield.
Man of the Match: Jack Whittaker
Jenson Jones and Ahmed Abdullahi both had excellent games too but my man of the match is Jack Whittaker, with most of Sunderland’s best play coming through him. Got a deserved goal after he ran onto Geragusian’s clever reverse ball and finishing past the goalkeeper but could have scored before then, particularly when he span past three Leeds player and shot just over in the first half. Was involved in the third goal too, when his shot was saved but Abdullahi did well to follow up.
;)
