Joe Hart gushes over ‘absolutely brilliant’ Leeds United moment in Sunderland draw
Leeds United scored one of the goals of the Premier League season against Sunderland on Sunday.
Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw with Leeds at the Stadium of Light, but the away side certainly deserved all three points.
Simon Adingra had given the hosts a 28th-minute lead, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised just after half-time, meaning he’s now scored in six successive Premier League games.
Jeff Stelling heaped praise on Ethan Ampadu’s Sunderland performance, in what is a point for Leeds that moves Daniel Farke’s side seven clear of 18th-placed West Ham.
Joe Hart hails ‘brimming with confidence’ Leeds United
Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser is a contender for goal of the season, and it was all about the build-up play beforehand.
Every single Leeds player touched the ball before the big number nine finished with a lovely side-footed stroke past Robin Roefs in the Sunderland goal.
Micah Richards labelled Leeds’ goal against Sunderland as ‘prime Barcelona’, and he wasn’t the only pundit to gush over this passage of play either.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Joe Hart broke down the Leeds goal from start to finish, and he was in awe of the move Farke’s men put together.
“This is a brilliant goal,” the former goalkeeper began.
“And this is a team that’s absolutely brimming with confidence. Good turnover, 1-0 down, no panic, looking to build into the second half.
“At no point are they forcing anything. Making angles for the goalkeeper, they all look comfortable in possession. Pass into Okafor, a little bit of spice on it, and then Stach, this ball here, brilliant. That’s every player apart from Calvert-Lewin who’s touched it now.
“Aaronson attacking, Calvert-Lewin getting into the area where he’s been so good this season, finishes it with aplomb. Absolutely brilliant team goal, and that’s a team brimming with confidence.”
- Read more: Oli McBurnie hails ‘proper’ Leeds player after what Hull star saw in 1-1 draw vs Sunderland
Farke’s tactical switch set to be tested to the limit
After routinely deploying a 4-2-3-1 system since his appointment as Leeds United boss, Farke has largely switched to a 3-5-2 since the second half against Manchester City on 29 November.
It’s been a tactical masterstroke too, as Leeds haven’t lost a game since then, are scoring goals at a much higher rate, and look a lot more solid defensively too.
- Leeds had 57 per cent possession against Sunderland
- Farke’s side took 17 shots against the Black Cats, with six of those being on target
- Leeds limited Sunderland to just eight shots, with only three testing Lucas Perri
They’ve picked up some huge scalps against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace over the last few weeks, but perhaps the biggest test of Farke’s new system awaits them in the New Year.
On 1 January, Leeds will travel to Anfield to take on a resurgent Liverpool side, and just three days after that, will welcome bitter rivals Manchester United to Elland Road.
Then they’ll travel to Tyneside to play Newcastle United on 7 January to round off a brutal seven-day period, which will push Leeds and Farke’s new approach to the maximum.
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