Embattled Brenden Aaronson on fire as 3/10 flop rubbish – Leeds United player ratings vs Sunderland
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored once again as Leeds United battled back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Sunderland.
The Whites went behind after 28 minutes on Sunday afternoon when Granit Xhaka played a reverse ball inside Jayden Bogle for Simon Adingra to curl inside the far post following a set piece.
Joe Rodon had twice suffered painful blows to his ankle but insisted on soldiering on, but his injury saw him play Adingra just onside as he couldn’t get out fast enough and was withdrawn immediately after the goal.
Calvert-Lewin then continued his incredible Leeds scoring run immediately after the restart as the visitors passed from back to front and the striker touched home Brenden Aaronson‘s centre from the right.
Daniel Farke‘s men dominated for significant parts of a second half which became end to end as it went on but neither side were able to find a winner.
Brenden Aaronson on fire
Aaronson has cause significant disquiet among Leeds fans this season, with Farke’s regular use of him over the likes of Dan James and Willy Gnonto often infuriating.
The American’s entire career at Elland Road has been somewhat divisive due to his frustrating style of play at times, as well as his loan exit after relegation.
But he justified his start at the Stadium of Light as he was everywhere from the first whistle and, crucially, had the end product that is so often lacking, as he probably should have had at least three assists, and possibly a goal of his own.
It was Aaronson’s assist that delivered Calvert-Lewin‘s seventh in six games as he found the ideal ball for the striker to slot home, and his flick-on that Bogle should have turned in a couple of minutes later.
The 25-year-old nearly repeated the feat just inside the hour when Ao Tanaka flashed his cut-back high and wide.
He’d already played an inviting ball that Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor couldn’t convert in the first half, moments after he almost scored himself when his hammered shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Trai Hume.
So often Aaronson is all industry and no impact but he had both in the North East and was a big part of a dangerous Leeds performance.
Jayden Bogle the weak link
Without Rodon’s injury Sunderland wouldn’t have opened the scoring when they did, so for all it was admirable that he wanted to fight through he should have gone off earlier.
But Jayden Bogle was a weakness for the Whites throughout, and it was him who Xhaka’s assist was neatly played in behind for Adingra’s opener.
It may be harsh given wing-backs’ requirements to push up and support the attack but there was too much space in behind Bogle too often, when the unforgiving nature of the position dictates that attack and defence must be adequately balanced.
The Englishman wasn’t exactly on top of his game in either faucet of the game, as he wasted a golden opportunity to hit the Black Cats with a one-two punch that might have decided the match straight after Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser.
Okafor’s cross from the left was deftly nodded on to the back post by Aaronson but Bogle somehow contrived to bundle the guilt-edged chance past the far post with Calvert-Lewin also available.
He was also fortunate not to concede a penalty for bringing down Adingra as he escaped punishment for an obvious foul on the wide man a couple of feet outside his own box.
Leeds were fortunate more damage wasn’t done at the back but suffered for him not taking advantage of his chance up front.
Leeds United player ratings vs Sunderland
Lucas Perri – 5
Jayden Bogle – 3
Joe Rodon (off for Tanaka ’31) – 4
Jaka Bijol – 6
Pascal Struijk – 6
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 7
Ethan Ampadu – 7
Anton Stach – 7
Brenden Aaronson – 9 – Man of the Match
Noah Okafor (off for Nmecha ’72) – 7
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (off for Gnonto ’85) – 8
Substitutions
Ao Tanaka (on for Rodon ’31) – 6
Lukas Nmecha (on for Okafor ’72) – 5
Willy Gnonto (on for Calvert-Lewin ’85) – 5
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Leeds United news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@motleedsnews