Sunderland and Leeds share the points in a windswept draw
Sunderland, bottom of the Premier League at the time, drew with Leeds United on Sunday. The match was played at the Stadium of Light in a gusty afternoon that made life hard for both sides.
The kick-off was at 16:30 GMT, and Sky Sports carried the game. Storm Boelo, a named storm, brought strong and unpredictable wind across the pitch. The Guardian's match report described the wind as something that shaped the play, with long balls and crosses hard to control. Neither side could settle into a rhythm for long.
Both goalkeepers were busy. Leeds' James Trafford stuck out a leg to stop Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey from close range. At the other end, Sunderland's Robin Roefs spilled a shot from Ao Tanaka, then recovered to dive at the feet of Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the Leeds forward could tap in. Those were the moments that kept the crowd on its feet.
Calvert-Lewin also went close to a bigger talking point. He appealed for a penalty, but referee Stuart Attwell waved it away. The video assistant referee, a review official who watches replays and can advise on decisions, backed the call. There was no penalty, and the scoreboard stayed level.
There was a scare for Sunderland too. Defender Nordi Mukiele was accidentally caught in the throat by a teammate, Luke O'Nien's elbow, and could not carry on. Omar Alderete came on in his place. Calvert-Lewin had passed a late fitness test on a bruised foot to start for Leeds.
The managers were Régis Le Bris for Sunderland and Daniel Farke for Leeds. Sunderland now have a point to build on at the foot of the table, while Leeds collect a point after a week that also included a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Elland Road. Earlier this month, Arsenal beat Leeds 2-1 at the Emirates, with Bruno Guimaraes scoring the winner.
For a newly promoted side, a draw against a team of Leeds' stature is useful. For Leeds, it is a point taken on the road in tough conditions. Neither club will be fully satisfied, but neither will leave the afternoon empty-handed.
