Sunderland v Leeds United

Friday 4th October 2024 - Stadium of Light, Sunderland

2024/25 Season

I can never underestimate the impact of me getting to Norwich on Tuesday and Sunderland today have had on my wellbeing. Without the support of my family especially my daughter Michelle, enabling me to have that respite by sleeping all the way there and back on the coach, we are now getting used to a different way of life. The good news is that my husband Phillip has returned home from hospital and got his wish to be cared for at home under the palliative care team. Once again, the support from our fans tonight has been immense and to those who were not aware of my situation at home, I took no offence at anything said. I’m quite aware that not everyone will know what has been going on but am grateful for all the kindness shown.

As my thoughts turned to the game, as long as we didn’t get beaten that was the main thing and a win would be a bonus. We very nearly did get that win however unexpected and I know Meslier is getting pelters on social media. To me, maybe he should have been subbed after getting kicked in the head but also, although I am disappointed with the goal conceded I am not angry. When all his teammates came up to him at the final whistle to show him support, I thought it was a great gesture. Up until then, I had thought he was catching high balls in the area and looking more confident. Life is too short to get worked up about it as what is happening in my family shows. The good thing is we got a point and didn’t get beaten as I wanted as we head into another international break.

Team: Meslier, Firpo, Rodon, Struijk, Bogle, Tanaka, Aaronson, Gnonto, Piroe, Rothwell, Ramazani

Subs: Joseph for Piroe (77), Byram for Gnonto (90), Schmidt for Ramazani (90)

Subs not used: Darlow, Gelhardt, Crew, Debayo, Bamford, Chambers

Leeds drew the game 2-2 with Piroe (22) and Firpo (55) scoring the goals

Attendance: 41,769, 2,102 Leeds fans

Referee: Tim Robinson

Booked: Rodon, Firpo, Bogle

With Sunderland being at the top of the table there was no surprise to see us under pressure from the start. They scored their first goal within nine minutes which was a blow. They kept the ball in from the bye line and although Meslier stopped the ball on the line, Sunderland followed up on the rebound to put them into the lead. That seemed to settle Leeds down as they gradually started to get into the game as Gnonto sent a perfect pass into the middle for Piroe in space to head the ball into the net to equalise. Leeds then showed that the best form of defence is attack as they kept the pressure up and took control of the half. It was only shortly before the break that Sunderland put us under pressure again, but we went in on level terms.

The second half started with Leeds awarded a free kick and their player booked. We then took the lead after a well worked goal with Ramazani jinking his way through the middle of the park before passing to Firpo to continue the run down the wing. He passed to Gnonto in the box who immediately returned it to Firpo who scored with a first time shot to send the away end wild. There had been a great atmosphere amongst our fans, and I loved it. Plenty of older songs were sang too and it’s a great therapy joining in with the singing. With six minutes added on and Sunderland fans had been leaving in droves, the thought did cross my mind that the game wasn’t over yet. Leeds had been in control for most of it, playing very well with crisp passing between our players but conceded a free kick in more added on time. With every player from both sides in a long line across our half of the pitch, Meslier was on the edge of the box, and I said he needed to get back on his line as we were defending very deep. With that a comedy of errors saw Sunderland snatch an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game which for those of us who have been following Leeds United for a long time (over 50 years in my case), we know, that until the final whistle blows, anything can happen. Whether it was the bounce or not, Meslier started to move back not under pressure and went to catch it but missed the ball completely as it hit the back of the net. That was such a shame as I thought we had played really well tonight.

It's happened, we move on and don’t have a game until Friday 18th October where we welcome Sheffield United to Elland Road.

See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together!