Dennis Cirkin awful but Wilson Isidor superb – Sunderland ratings in Leeds loss
Sunderland lost to Leeds in heart-breaking fashion following a Pascal Struijk double off the bench, including a 95th minute winner.
Sunderland were without Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns, as the striker is still recovering from a back issue, following his Deadline Day move.
Jobe Bellingham could have opened the scoring in the third minute for the Black Cats, but saw his effort saved by Illan Meslier
Wilson Isidor opened the scoring in the 31st minute, holding off Ethan Ampadu, before his effort struck the post and found its way into the back of the net.
Pascal Struijk came off the bench and headed in from a Joe Rothwell freekick in the 78th minute.
Leeds would steal all three points late in added time, as Struijk once again got on the end of a Rothwell delivery.
Regis Le Bris watches his side draw after failing to maintain a lead against Leeds
Here’s how Football Insider rated the performance of the Black Cats’ squad against Leeds on Monday (17 February).
Anthony Patterson – 6
Made an excellent save from Joel Piroe in the 70th minute, always alert and commanded the defence in front of him well. Unable to stop Struijk’s header with a congested six-yard box in front of him.
Trai Hume – 6
Caught a clean volley at the start of the second half, successfully nullified Manor Solomon.
Daniel Ballard – 7
Assisted Isidor for Sunderland’s opener, solid defensively against Piroe, unable to his side from collapsing late on.
Luke O’Nien – 4
Chaotic in his defence, was unable to keep out Struijk’s header in the 78th minute. Booked for a cynical foul late on.
Jobe Bellingham struggled to win midfield battle for Sunderland against Leeds
Dennis Cirkin – 3
Fortunate to not give away a penalty in the second-half, struggled against a lively James in the second-half and was booked for a foul on the Welshman.
Daniel Neil – 7
Controlled the midfield, typically dominant in ball-winning, excellent passing on display aswell.
Jobe Bellingham – 5
Bellingham has been watched by Crystal Palace and Tottenham scouts, but the talented midfielder struggled to take control of the game.
Patrick Roberts (off for Poveda 86′) – 6
Hard-working and tenacious as always, just lacking the end product to punish Leeds.
Chris Rigg unable to have an impact for Sunderland
Chris Rigg (off for Abdul Samed 75′) – 5
Rigg has been heavily linked with a move to Man United, struggled against Leeds’ midfielders and was unable to shine.
Enzo Le Fee – 7
A touch of class to everything he does, much like Roberts, was just wide of the mark on his final pass.
Wilson Isidor (off for Mayenda 75′) – 8
Isidor missed two penalties in the same game against Burnley, beautifully dispatched his chance in the first-half to keep his goal-scoring run going.
Substitutes
Eliezer Mayenda (on for Isidor 75′) – 4
Failed to have any impact on the game after coming off the bench.
Salis Abdul Samed (on for Rigg 75′) – 4
Made a complete hash of clearing a cross late on that led to the match-winner from Struijk.
Ian Poveda (on for Roberts 86′) – 6
Did not have enough time on the pitch to make an impact.