Leeds United: Mike Dodds wowed at Elland Road after Sunderland draw
Leeds United were called the “best team in the league” by Sunderland’s interim manager Mike Dodds, despite the Whites being unable to break his side down during their 0-0 draw on 9 April.
Leeds came into the game with a chance to record 10 Championship home victories in a row, but produced a flat performance throughout, with Dodds saying to the Yorkshire Evening Post that he didn’t feel at any point that they were going to break the deadlock.
The Whites saw several penalty appeals turned down and couldn’t find a way through Sunderland’s organised defence, meaning that the Black Cats have now taken four points from Daniel Farke’s side this season.
Dodds said: “I think they are the best team in the league from what I have seen. To come here and obviously play them earlier in the year and not concede any goal over two games says everything about the group, and says everything about the kind of preparation for the two games.”
Leeds United miss out in the Championship
After league leaders Leicester suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Millwall, all was set up for Leeds to collect three points on their way back to the Premier League.
Despite doubts over Ethan Ampadu’s fitness and calls for striker Patrick Bamford to be dropped, Farke kept the same XI that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Coventry on 6 April.
An uneventful first half came and went with nothing other than some credible Leeds penalty shouts to speak of, and with the second half continuing in a similar fashion, Farke, eventually, made changes to the team.
As well as Ampadu, midfielder Glen Kamara has also been battling illness in recent weeks and was rather ineffective before being taken off for Wilfried Gnonto on 72 minutes.
Shortly afterwards, Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Conor Roberts entered the fray but didn’t have anywhere near enough time to make an impact against Sunderland’s low block.
Leeds had run out of ideas by full-time, and are now running out of time to ensure that destiny is in their own hands come the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest on Kalvin Phillips’ current situation and the likelihood of a return to Elland Road.
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