Sunderland were yet again the victims of their own demise on Monday night, throwing away what would’ve been a huge three points and leaving Elland Road with nothing.
Few gave Sunderland a prayer as they headed to Leeds United on Monday night. The Whites went into the game in rampant form whereas the Black Cats had been somewhat shaky.
But it was Regis Le Bris’ side who went into half-time with a 1-0 lead, after Wilson Isidor fired home his 12th goal of the season, and another impressive finish at that.
Sunderland fans are fuming with Le Bris whose seemingly negative tactics and changes once again helped towards the defeat, as Leeds scored two late goals to win 2-1 in the end. Though all is not lost in the race for promotion with the Black Cats remaining in 4th place of the Championship table.
The win for Leeds though does return them to the top, and puts 10 points between themselves and Sunderland who are also eight points behind Sheffield United in 2nd. They and Leeds go head to head next Monday.
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Gary Bennett’s Sunderland verdict after Leeds United defeat
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle after the game on Monday, former Sunderland man and now BBC pundit Gary Bennett had plenty to say. And he believes Leeds will go on to win the Championship title, as do many others.
Bennett said: “That was always our aim, the top two. 2nd anyway. I think Leeds will win the league. It was a case of staying in touch with the likes of Sheffield United and Burnley.
“Hopefully Leeds will win the game [Monday against Sheffield United]. We’ve just got to continue winning our games. I think there’s still going to be twists and turns.”
Bennett then went on to rue Sunderland’s painful and costly habit of throwing away games. He continued: “You get good habits and you can pick up bad habits. The bad habit Sunderland have is conceding late goals. That is a habit.
“We talk about Manchester United in ‘Fergie time’… they had a habit of winning games in injury time. We’ve got a habit, and I felt it tonight… thinking we can concede here. We don’t feel comfortable. For some unknown reason they flick the switch and it’s panic time.”
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Sunderland’s next five Championship fixtures
Leeds away will surely be the toughest game of Sunderland’s season. Anything after that becomes somewhat kinder and for the Black Cats, their next run of fixtures certainly look to be kind, although Le Bris won’t count on his side’s chances after that defeat.
Sunderland next host Hull City, then head to Sheffield Wednesday before home games against Cardiff City and Preston, then a trip to Coventry City before the March international break.
Of course, Sunderland need to claim all the points they can to not only keep themselves in the race for top two but to keep those behind them at bay.
Blackburn Rovers are in 5th and 11 points behind. A poor run for Sunderland a good run for Blackburn or even West Brom in 7th – 14 points behind Sunderland – could even threaten the Black Cats’ top six position this season.