CAT AND SLOG
Mackems keep United at bay as penalty shout waved away
Leeds 0 Sunderland 0 DANIEL FARKE was left bitterly frustrated after Luke O’Nien escaped a home penalty appeal as Leeds faltered again.
Sunderland captain O’Nien appeared to block a corner with his hand in the 76th minute, but referee Tim Robinson was unmoved.
Farke’s side have now dropped five points in four days after last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Coventry.
Leeds largely dominated possession against a Black Cats side whose season is effectively over, with the play-offs now out of reach.
Sunderland still included one of the division’s finest talents in their starting line-up, though, in the shape of ex-Leeds prospect Jack Clarke. The 23-year-old had got the better of fellow Leeds academy graduate Archie Gray when Sunderland won 1-0 in the corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light in December.
Clarke and the 18-yearold Gray enjoyed another tussle last night and the former had the game’s first clear chance in the 14th minute.
Timothee Pembele crossed dangerously from the right flank and Clarke arrived at the far post, but skewed his header over the bar. It was an opportunity spurned, but, four minutes later, Leeds went close through Georginio Rutter.
The France Under21 striker collected a neat pass from Ilia Gruev and hit a fierce right-foot shot from 25 yards which flew narrowly wide.
Leeds kept probing, but then almost trailed in the 34th minute.
Clarke escaped down the left flank all too easily and had the space to hit a low, leftfoot shot, which Leeds keeper Illan Meslier saved with his legs at his near post. Four minutes later, Clarke was at it again, this time hitting a shot from 20 yards which flew straight at Meslier.
Frustration began to mount among the home supporters and Patrick Bamford sent a right-foot shot high and wide as half-time approached.
Ten minutes after the break, Rutter worked a shooting chance, which was deflected for a corner.
Clarke continued to threaten at the other end of the field for Sunderland, who defended doggedly to keep Leeds at bay.
Crysencio Summerville curled a free-kick into the side netting before Meslier was forced to parry a free-kick from Black Cats substitute Patrick Roberts.
Leeds were then denied a spot-kick when O’Nien seemed to handle and Sunderland were able to hold on for a point.