Sunderland boss bemoans surprise Leeds United change in draw

Sunderland got exactly what they expected in Sunday’s home draw with Premier League rivals Leeds United - according to Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris.

An intense and exciting was anticipated as the two former Championship promotion rivals went head-to-head at the Stadium of Light - and that was exactly what they delivered throughout a pulsating 90 minutes that ended with the points being shared. It was the hosts that started the better of the two sides and they grabbed the lead with a neat touch and finish from Ivory Coast international Simon Adingra. However, there was an element of misfortune for the Whites as defender Joe Rodon played the winger onside as he was still struggling from the impact being on the end of a strong challenge from the former Brighton and Hove Albion winger.

To their credit, Leeds recovered from that double blow and produced a second-half display full of energy and confidence and they got some reward when Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the net for a sixth consecutive game by rounding off a stunning passing move that involved all 11 Whites players. There were chances for both sides to snatch all three points but the spoils were shared in a game that Le Bris believes was part of a ‘learning process’ the Sunderland players are on during their long-awaited return to the Premier League.

Speaking on Sunday night’s Match of the Day, the Black Cats boss: "Very tough game, as expected, because we knew Leeds were a good side in good form - they are still in good form! They showed great quality on the pitch. We started well. We scored and at the end of the first half when we had the opportunity to score the second goal.

"I think it was a key moment because after that when Leeds changed their structure I think we struggled to find our references for the build-up and for the high press - so they were dominate at that time. We found the energy to change the switch sometimes. Even at the end of the game we had the opportunity to be a bit more dangerous. I think it was a fair result in the end.

"It is expected in the Premier League. It is a good lesson. I think we are moving forward with many changes in the squad and it shows it is still possible to play good football, not perfect because it's a learning process. We are moving forward."

What has Daniel Farke said about Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United?

"That the unbeaten run continued and we showed again a great mentality to come back from a losing position again. Another point in the table, we've improved our situation. No one has come away with a better result here. The performance from minute 30 on, because I think we dominated. Mood wise I'm a bit in between. So all the positives I mentioned right now, but the gut feeling was also like we could have started the game better. I was not really happy with the first 30 minutes.”

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