The first-half opener by Wilson Isidor for Sunderland was the first time Illan Meslier had conceded a goal for Leeds in the Championship for more than nine hours – or 573 minutes to be exact.
It brought to an end a run of six consecutive clean sheets for the Whites.
Sunderland could really do with victory tonight to stay in touch with the top two.
As it stands, they’ll close the gap on Leeds to four points.
HUGE 45 coming up…
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Neil Redfearn
Former Leeds manager on BBC Radio Leeds
Sunderland started off well and were on the front foot but then after that first 10 minutes it was all Leeds, they’ve basically been sucker punched with the goal.
It’s a good finish for the goal, but I think Meslier has got to get something on that.
Leeds have been the better side but they find themselves a goal down, they’ve just got to find their feet again in the second half.
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Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport at Elland Road
The half-time whistle is met by a smattering of boos.
Leeds haven’t been behind at half-time in a league game here since they lost 1-0 to Burnley on 14 September.
The home side have had plenty of the ball so far, with wingers Manor Solomon and Dan James both involved plenty, but they’re yet to really open Sunderland up.
The Black Cats have been diligent out of possession and have mixed it up in terms of short and long balls when they have had it, perfectly showcased with Dan Ballard’s ball into the channel for Wilson Isidor’s goal.
Another 45 minutes of this? Just the job.
Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle
There’s trouble down the tunnel and it’s a tight tunnel here at Elland Road, Hume talking to the referee.
One or two of the Leeds staff went down the tunnel with O’Nien.
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So far, it’s been the perfect away performance by Sunderland.
They’ve soaked up the Leeds pressure and been ruthless on the break.
A hugely entertaining first half comes to an end and Wilson Isidor’s excellent turn and finish in off the post is the difference between the two sides.
A reminder that Leeds are unbeaten in their past 13 league games at Elland Road (W12 D1). They’ve got it all to do in the next 45.
Dan James gets on the end of a ball to the back post for Leeds but Luke O’Nien does well to block for Sunderland.
Sunderland’s free-kick is headed on by Wilson Isidor and claimed by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier. There’s a bit of a scuffle in the aftermath between Luke O’Nien and Meslier… and then Isidor is shown yellow for getting involved in the coming together.
Neil Redfearn
Former Leeds manager on BBC Radio Leeds
That yellow card has been coming, a little bit of frustration there from Jayden.
Leeds full-back Jayden Bogle makes a challenge that looks to be one out of frustration on Jobe Bellingham after Enzo Le Fee’s neat Cruyff flick to the Sunderland midfielder.
Into the book Bogle goes.
We’re into four minutes added on at the end of the first half.
Sunderland will be delighted to get in ahead at the break if they can see out the next couple of minutes.
Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle
It’s all about managing the game for Sunderland.
Enzo Le Fee has been quiet so far, but he’ll have his moment in this game for sure.
Joel Piroe does well to feed it to Dan James on the left for Leeds, who cuts inside and fires an effort on target but it’s lacking in conviction and Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson is able to easily take it in.
Neil Redfearn
Former Leeds manager on BBC Radio Leeds
There can’t be any frustration in this performance by Leeds.
If they want to get back into this game they just need to keep their confidence high.
How will Leeds respond? They haven’t trailed in a league game at Elland Road since 14 September against Burnley.
The Clarets went on to win that one 1-0.
Leeds win a free-kick on the right but Ilia Gruev overcooks the delivery.
Sunderland are still forced to nod behind for a corner, which is cleared and then drops to Dan James outside the box, but he swipes wildly over the top.
That opener has unsurprisingly lifted Sunderland and they’re playing with confidence when they come forward.
Elland Road feels a little stunned.
Moments before that Sunderland goal, Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka picked up the first booking of the evening for a foul on the edge of the visitors’ own penalty area.
The Black Cats went on to score from the attack that followed.
Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport at Elland Road
What a magnificently taken goal that is from Wilson Isidor.
Leeds didn’t have enough pressure on the ball and Dan Ballard’s pass into the right channel was well weighted but the French striker still had so much to do.
An adroit turn and a pinpoint finish later and the Black Cats, against the run of play, now have a lead to protect.
The home fans were… Not too impressed with the amount of time he spent celebrating in front of them.
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Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle’s Sunderland commentator
Isidor kept going and going and put the ball in off the left-hand post.
It looked like he was being pulled back, it could well have been a penalty but he did so well, Ampadu couldn’t handle him.
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Leeds have the chance to go back to the top of the Championship on Monday night when they welcome promotion rivals Sunderland to Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side dropped to second on Saturday after Sheffield United’s narrow win over Luton but just a point against the Black Cats would see Leeds move back above the Blades on goal difference.
When the teams met in October, an extraordinary error by Illan Meslier handed Sunderland a draw and Farke said his team would have at their best and “concentrate at the decisive moments” in order to win.
“They are developing more or less from week to week and are one of the best sides in league so we have to control their strengths,” Farke said.
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Leeds and Sunderland, along with Sheffield United and Burnley, have broken clear at the top of the league.
Only seven points separate Leeds in second and the Black Cats, who are fourth, and Farke told BBC Radio Leeds that he has not been surprised by Sunderland’s success this season.
“Sunderland are a brave side and can score goals from all positions. It’s important to control the offensive players and counter attacks,” he said.
“Regis [Le Bris] is an experienced manager and proven over his career. They have quality individuals, players with youth and energy, and players with experience at this level who lead the group.
“They play with enthusiasm and fire. It will be a tight game.”
Since making that high-profile error deep into added time in October, Meslier has kept 15 clean sheets in 23 matches and Farke paid tribute to his hard work, saying he has “the highest standards”.
“He is focused every day and settled. This is what you have to do in a side that dominates games and he has to make a first save after 60-70 minutes so you have to be switched on,” he said.
“He’s played a major part with many clean sheets. It’s very impressive but its always what we expect from him. He was in last season’s Championship team of the season so was the best goalkeeper in the league so we expect this consistency.
“If you want to be successful in this league you need a top goalkeeper and that is what he delivers and hopefully he continues in this form.”
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Sunderland boss Le Bris said he hopes the big-match occasion will bring the best out of his team against a Leeds team who have won 12 of their past 13 home league games – keeping 10 clean sheets in that run and scoring 37.
“They are a very good team,” Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle. “It will be an exciting challenge, but it’s still [just] three points to play for.
“For us it’s a really good challenge to test our limits. I think we can improve our level against the best opponents.
“I’d agree that Leeds are probably the best team we have faced this season. They have many vertical threats and are very impressive when they have space to exploit.”
The Frenchman said he was confident as his side had played well against the top teams in the league this season.
“It’s a question of pragmatism because we can’t afford to let them play, but if we don’t damage their defence we’ll have many regrets at the end.”
