Sunday afternoon saw Leeds United produce another excellent performance to avoid defeat away at Sunderland, and go five games unbeaten in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke named an unchanged side with Lukas Nmecha replacing Sam Byram on the bench, after beating Crystal Palace 4-1 last time out. Leeds went 1-0 down and lost Joe Rodon inside 30 minutes.
Who was your MOTM for Leeds against Sunderland? 🤔
Some excellent performances again.
But the Whites produced one of the goals of the season to equalise in the second half, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted his eighth goal for Leeds, and his seventh strike in the last six Leeds matches.
There were some excellent performances once again, with Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu impressing in midfield, Calvert-Lewin scoring again, and Gabi Gudmundsson storming up and down the left flank.
Stuart Dallas heaps praise on much-criticised Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson is, by some distance, the player who gets more criticism than any other Leeds player. Whether it is due to his light frame or that he went out on loan, Aaronson is often the one fans turn to.
Yet, Aaronson got a standing ovation against Crystal Palace after Farke urged supporters to get off the American’s back. Speaking to LUTV’s The Verdict, Leeds icon Dallas heaped praise on the £25m man.
“He was brilliant today. His ability to keep the ball in tight spaces, and the assist. He’s had his fair share of criticism, but to continue to come back. I’m delighted for him. It’s been tough, he’s repaid his manager.”
PROVE ME WRONG – Brenden Aaronson is Leeds’ most underrated player 🦅
Aaronson was impressive again against Sunderland
Dominic Matteo shares what he noticed about Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson is often criticised for his lack of physicality and his inability to keep the ball under pressure. According to FotMob, the former Salzburg ace lost all nine of his duels with Sunderland’s players.
However, Leeds legend Dom Matteo said he could not recall Aaronson losing the ball under pressure at any point during the draw on Sunday: “Brenden is a prime example of someone who wants to work hard.
“We know he’s slight, but he’s clever on the ball and you have to use your body in different ways. I didn’t see him get knocked off the ball today, away from home against a physical side, give him a lot of credit.”
Aaronson was a shock inclusion in the side over Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev against Palace, but he deserved to keep his place against Sunderland. After his assist, Aaronson deserves to start against Liverpool next.
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