Leeds United 0-1 Sunderland: Black Cats win first Premier League away game since October
Regis Le Bris’ side won their first Premier League game in five against Leeds United at Elland Road last night.
Habib Diarra’s second-half penalty was enough to earn Sunderland a crucial three points on the road, despite a late Leeds surge.
WHAT A WIN!!!! ✊#LEESUN pic.twitter.com/nUvu4dS9j2
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 3, 2026
In the build-up, Le Bris’ side faced several key injuries with Robin Roefs the latest to be side-lined, as new signing Melker Ellborg made his debut in goal.
The first moment of the game came in the 16th minute, when Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien man-handled Pascal Struijk in the box, however the referee and VAR deemed it to not be a penalty.
Leeds maintained large amounts of possession, but rarely troubled Ellborg in the Sunderland goal: Anton Stach’s low-driven free-kick was the closest they came just after the half hour mark.
Daniel Farke’s side looked to have taken the lead with just over an hour played, when Stach’s powerful freekick from the flank met Joe Rodon’s head at the back post, with his header crashing past Ellborg off the bar. However, after VAR looked at it, the goal was ruled out for a clear offside from Rodon.
Following the disallowed goal, the game became end-to-end and Sunderland were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes to play.
Substitute Wilson Isidor’s turning strike struck Ethan Ampadu on the arm and the referee, following a look at the VAR monitor, gave the penalty to the Black Cats.
Diarra stepped up to take it – scoring Sunderland’s eighth goal away from home this season, despite Karl Darlow getting a large hand onto the ball.
Diarra converts from the spot to give Sunderland the lead against Leeds United 🔥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/S9yhDdaDpz
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 3, 2026
And – despite over 10 minutes of added time and relentless Leeds pressure, Sunderland held on to a crucial victory away from home.
Next up, Sunderland are involved in FA Cup action away to Port Vale on Sunday 8th March at 1:30.
