Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 17 March 2026 8:40, UK

Bryn Law believes Leeds United‘s matches against Sunderland and Crystal Palace have been polar opposites of the “beautiful game”.

Leeds are hovering just three points above the Premier League’s relegation zone after a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on 3 March and a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s team were the dominant side against Regis Le Bris’ men, but Habib Diarra’s second-half penalty proved the difference, while the Whites held on for a point at Selhurst Park after Gabriel Gudmundsson’s first-half red card.

Both the Sunderland and Palace games were not ones for footballing purists, with the Black Cats’ time-wasting tactics frustrating Leeds fans and players no end.

Now, LUTV commentator Law has admitted that there was an “awful lot not to like” in Leeds’ games against Sunderland and Palace.

Leeds endure ‘awful’ Premier League games

In Leeds’ loss to Sunderland, the Mackems chalked up stoppages in excess of 31 minutes compared to the home side’s 23 minutes.

Moreover, Sunderland’s stand-in goalkeeper Melker Ellborg spent four minutes taking just six goal kicks across the match, while the Black Cats took eight minutes taking their 19 throw-ins.

In contrast, Leeds spent four and a half minutes with their 22 throw-ins. And to rub extra salt into the wound, Sunderland – who were fortunate not to concede a penalty – walked away with all three points.

And despite having an extra man for the second 45 minutes, Palace didn’t force Karl Darlow into a single save in a windy and uninspiring contest. And for Law, it was all very frustrating.

He said on the Square Ball Podcast: “In the last two Premier League games in particular, there was an awful lot not to like. In the Sunderland game, there was so much going on that I just didn’t like.

“Anybody who cleared the decks as a neutral to watch Crystal Palace versus Leeds, are they still with us? I don’t think they’re still with us because it was awful.

“The Sunderland game was also awful to watch. There were none of the elements that make this the thing, the beautiful game, with that phrase. There were none of the elements there that make this the beautiful game. It looked like an ugly game.”

Leeds will hope they can provide a bit more entertainment at home to Brentford on Saturday night, but all that matters is three points.

Status quo remains after Leeds draw

On paper, the Palace match was a game Leeds would have targeted.

Palace had played in the Conference League on Thursday and rotated a tad for the visit of Farke’s side.

Leeds missed a penalty through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and then Gudmundsson was controversially sent off for a very harsh second yellow.

It all seemed to be going wrong for Leeds, especially after West Ham’s draw with Manchester City on Saturday night. But Leeds’ battling spirit was plain to see in Croydon as they claimed a point.

Tottenham’s draw at Liverpool and Nottingham Forest’s stalemate with Fulham mean Leeds maintain their gap to the bottom three, and now just eight games are remaining.

There is still more than enough time for Leeds to fall into the drop zone.

However, the fact that they are fighting for their lives shows the players are well and truly behind Farke, they may have enough in them to beat the drop.