Anton Stach only positive, Jayden Bogle dreadful – Leeds player ratings vs Sunderland
Leeds suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Sunderland.
Last season’s Elland Road clash was a huge one in the promotion race, and this season’s was just as big in the relegation battle, with the Whites knowing that a win would take them nine points clear of the bottom three.
But as expected, that led to a very cagey affair for the opening stages, with Leeds unable to break down the low-block from the visitors for the first 45 minutes.
It remained the same in the second half, but the game flipped on its head when Ethan Ampadu was penalised for a handball, with Habib Diarra scoring from the spot.
That proved to be the deciding moment in the game, with Leeds’ 22-game unbeaten run in evening games at Elland Road coming to an end.
Anton Stach looked like Leeds’ only outlet
Not only did the German have Leeds’ only shot on target for the first half, but he was also the only one who looked like creating anything of note.
He created one chance in the game, put in a delightful cross for Joe Rodon’s goal, only to see it rightfully ruled out for offside.
However, Stach also contributed in other areas of the game, and ultimately ran the midfield against a very energetic Sunderland line-up.
Stach won nine of his 12 defensive duels, completed five tackles and made two clearances at crucial times in the game.
The German was far from being at his best, but he was arguably the only real positive from a dismal Elland Road display.
Read more: Leeds United already looking to replace Gabriel Gudmundsson amid latest transfer update
Jayden Bogle was uncharacteristically poor
Jayden Bogle has actually been one of Leeds’ strongest players this season, but he, like many of his teammates, was not at the races against the Black Cats.
His passing was suspect at times, and his usual ability to get up and down the right flank was not on display anywhere near as much as Leeds needed it to be.
Added to that, he failed to win any of his five ground duels and committed two fouls on Nilson Angulo, who had the better of him most of the night.
He wasn’t the only one, but it was certainly a night to forget for him.
Leeds player ratings
Karl Darlow – 4
Joe Rodon – 5
Pascal Struijk – 6
James Justin – 6
Jayden Bogle – 4
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 5
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Ilia Gruev – 5 (for Nmecha 62′)
Anton Stach – 7
Brenden Aaronson – 5
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Subs
Lukas Nmecha – 5 (for Gruev 62′)
Dan James – 6 (for Justin 74′)
Willy Gnonto – 6 (for Aaronson 74′)
Jaka Bijol – N/A (for Gudmundsson 84′)
Joel Piroe – N/A (for Bogle 84′)
For more on Leeds, head over to Football Insider for the latest updates and analysis.