Credit: Imago, Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Oliver Walton

Wed 4 March 2026 10:08, UK Updated Wed 4 March 2026 10:27, UK

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Leeds United fans tore into Karl Darlow on social media for his poor attempt at saving Habib Diarra’s winning penalty in their midweek clash against Sunderland.

Leeds were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at Elland Road after Diarra dispatched a 70th-minute penalty to send Regis Le Bris’ side 11th in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke’s men created more chances and had the better opportunities to score, but their lack of scoring threat was apparent, and they remain just six points above the relegation zone as it stands.

Darlow has emerged as Farke’s number one goalkeeper in the last few months due to the poor form of summer signing Lucas Perri.

Diarra was lucky to stay on the pitch after his excessive celebration for the winning spot-kick, but many Whites fans believe that his soft shot should not have even crossed the goal-line.

Leeds fans fume at Karl Darlow for poor penalty save attempt against Diarra

Darlow made his eighth consecutive league start at Elland Road on Tuesday night, but could not add to his tally of one clean sheet so far.

He did not put in a bad showing against Sunderland overall, but his game was defined by being unable to stop Diarra’s poor penalty from finding the net.

The Black Cats midfielder swept his spot kick to the left of the Leeds stopper, and while he was able to get down and get something on the ball, it simply bounced off his midriff and looped into the net.

Many Whites supporters inside Elland Road began celebrating as Darlow looked to have saved the shot, but were quickly drowned out by jubilant Sunderland fans.

Some Leeds fans took to X to slate their goalkeeper’s poor penalty save attempt, with one saying: “Tell you what has gone under the radar. That Karl Darlow attempt at saving that penalty. EVERY goal keeper in the Prem and Championship save that….including Perri.”

Another said: “Darlow let in the softest penalty in years. He wasn’t unlucky, it was as big a howler by a keeper as we’ve seen since Meslier.”

While one supporter added: “Darlow is the single worst goalkeeper I’ve ever seen at penalties.”

Leeds want to sign a new starting goalkeeper this summer

Darlow is 35-years-old and has not been able to tie down a starting spot in the Premier League in his career to date so far, so it seems unlikely that he is the long-term solution to Farke’s keeper woes.

There looks to be no way back into the side for Perri, despite some strong showings earlier in the campaign, while the outcasted Illan Meslier is surely set to leave Leeds this summer.

Sources have told Football Insider that the Whites plan to sign a starting goalkeeper ahead of next season, with Darlow likely to stay on as deputy once more.

James Trafford is a known target for Leeds this summer, but they face competition for his services from Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham.