EPL: Sunderland Edge Leeds 1-0 in Late Drama

Leeds fall to Sunderland as Diarra scores from spot

Sunderland wins 1-0 at Leeds United, with Habib Diarra scoring a controversial penalty to secure safety in the Premier League.

Late VAR drama sees Sunderland claim 1-0 win over Leeds, ending nine-game winless away streak...

Habib Diarra's contentious penalty handed Sunderland a 1-0 win at Leeds United, ending a nine-game winless away streak (4 draws, 5 losses) and securing their safety with 40 points. Melker Ellborg made a solid debut in goal for the Black Cats, stepping in for injured Robin Roefs, while Luke O'Nien led the team as captain in his first PL start.

Leeds United pushed hard from the start, but their early pressure didn't yield anything, and it was actually goalkeeper Karl Darlow who made the first save, palming away Eliezer Mayenda's fierce strike. The Sunderland striker was flagged offside, though.

Nevertheless, the hosts continued to dominate possession, and Anton Stach almost added to his three PL goals from direct free-kicks this season - a pre-matchday joint league-high - when he whipped a set-piece towards the bottom corner, only for Ellborg to get down well and save.

Jayden Bogle then dragged a shot wide from inside the box after Stach won the ball high up the pitch.

The first half was underwhelming, and the second half started off scrappy, with Leeds fans getting frustrated. Things boiled over just after the hour mark, with two huge VAR decisions going against the home side - the tension was palpable.

First, Joe Rodon thought he had put Leeds ahead when he headed Stach’s free-kick in off the crossbar, but he did so from an offside position.

Just four minutes later, Wilson Isidor’s shot hit the hand of Ethan Ampadu, and referee Stuart Attwell gave a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Diarra stepped up and, while Darlow guessed the right way, he let the spot-kick squirm through his grasp to allow the Sunderland midfielder to wheel away and celebrate his third goal in seven games across all competitions.

Habib Diarra's penalty gives @SunderlandAFC all three points on the road! 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/EYFKQaVZhB

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 3, 2026

Leeds hunted an equaliser, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was inches away from converting Daniel James’ low cross before Jaka Bijol struck the outside of the post from close range.

The fourth official signalled 12 minutes of stoppage time, but the Sunderland defence held firm to claim their fourth win in their past seven visits to Elland Road across all competitions (D2, L1), and just their third victory in 12 PL H2Hs (D1, L8).

The Black Cats climb to 11th, while Leeds remain six points above the relegation zone in 15th as they suffered successive top-flight defeats on their own turf for the first time since April 2023.