Jobe Bellingham hands Sunderland huge Leeds United scalp

A single goal from Jobe Bellingham the decisive moment in a tactical battle resembling a game of chess rather than that of football match. Six points against two promotion rivals a real boost for a side still without a permanent manager.

Here are the key talking points from Sunderland’s 1-0 win against Leeds United…

Golden Boy 2024?

Denied a clear goal against West Brom, there would be no assistant’s flag denying Jobe Bellingham this time. The versatile youngster ran the midfield alongside Dan Neil, making an experienced Leeds United outfit look ordinary before a tactical tweak saw him move further forward in a match defining moment. The introduction of Alex Pritchard against West Brom saw him pick up a big three points and his in game tweak, albeit forced following an injury to Jenson Seelt, saw Jobe move into a number ten role for the final 20 minutes or so. The 18-year-old’s natural ability for being in the right place at the right time showcased once again. Pritchard’s effort falling to Jobe on the edge of the six-yard box, nodding the ball past a sprawling Illan Meslier. Interim boss Dodds had heaped praise on the youngster for his ability to play anywhere, just a week after older brother Jobe had tipped him to win the Golden Boy award for 2024 if Sunderland were to win promotion. There’s plenty of football to be played before that becomes a reality, but if they turn in display’s like that more often than not, it could well be the case.

Mike Dodds comes out on top in the tactical battle

For the second game in in a row, Mike Dodds’ Sunderland came out on top in a battle of tactical wits against one of the best managers in the division. Dodds made three changes from the win against West Bromwich Albion just three days ago. Man-of-the-match against the Baggies, Patrick Roberts, dropped out of the side, as did Adil Aouchiche and Pierre Ekwah. In came Abdoullah Ba, difference maker Alex Pritchard and there was a surprise start for summer signing Jenson Seelt. The Dutch youth international lined up in a back three with the interim head coach opting for a change of shape. Lining up in a 3-4-3 in possession, 5-4-1 without the ball, Sunderland were steady enough in the opening stages with Pritchard stopping Ethan Ampadu from dictating play, but in possession looked short of ideas. The Black Cats false nine dropped deep in the build-up play, but Sunderland struggled to find him in those pockets after breaking through Leeds’ midfield line. It often meant Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk were free to mop up unchallenged. The right idea, but lacking the execution in the opening 20 minutes. After that, Sunderland grew into the game and were the better side, Dodds’ plan in full flow. Despite his talk of Premier League budgets and Premier League players, it was the home side who imposed themselves. The midfield duo of Bellingham and Neil pressed at the right times, not giving Leeds midfield anchor a moments peace. Daniel Farke tried to counter Sunderland’s set-up by playing slightly narrower in the second-half, but to no avail.

Illan Meslier heroics

The Leeds United shot stopper received plenty of criticism for his performances in the Whites’ relegation campaign, but he produced an incredible save to deny Jenson Seelt his first goal in red and white. The Black Cats defender had one cleared off the line leading up to the corner, with Meslier flapping at a Pritchard free-kick. Seelt’s stab goalbound from the Frenchman’s fumble, was blocked by Struijk for a corner. The Dutch defender showcased his aerial prowess and was wheeling away in celebration with his header heading towards the far corner, only for Meslier to deny him at full stretch. Almost a match defining moment.

Jack Clarke came out on top in the battle of the flanks

Heading into the game, Sunderland’s talisman spoke about not wanting to upset anyone coming up against his former side. One person who’ll be glad to see the back of him at full-time will be Leeds United's Archie Gray. Clarke gave the Whites’ youngster the run-around for most of the evening. Combined with the overlapping runs of Niall Huggins, Gray wasn’t sure whether to track the winger, or go with the run of marauding left wing-back. Clearly an area Mike Dodds and his side looked to capitalise on pre-match. There were similar glimpses on the right, but Adboullah Ba didn’t quite have the same luck against Djed Spence. Sunderland’s overload on the flanks stopped Leeds’ dangerous wide men, Dan James didn’t get a sniff.

Jenson Seelt

His inclusion in the starting line-up raised some eyebrows, but the Dutch defender was arguably the standout performer for the Black Cats. He kept Leeds’ star man Crysencio Summerville quiet and was dangerous at the other end. For someone making just their sixth start of the season, his first since the 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town, his looked composed, and read the game really well. His height alone caused Leeds problems from set-pieces and had two of Sunderland’s best chances of the game. His calmness to step in and drift beyond Leeds United’s forward press kick started the Black Cats next phase of transition and set them on their way. The perfect example of that was four minutes into the second-half, taking three Leeds United players out of the game to send Ba racing down the right, his poor delivery - which hit the first man - letting Sunderland down. Seelt’s evening was cut short with what looked like a hamstring injury, forcing a reshuffle in the pack, but it was a good outing for the 20-year-old.

Leeds slowing the game down in the second-half

Leeds United, known for their tenacity and frantic pace, were happy to slow the game down in the second-half. Sunderland content with letting the Whites' centre-half pairing of Rodon and Struijk have the ball at their feet, activating their press once they looked to play. It meant the Whites were marked man-for-man and lacking options, the two visiting centre-halves labouring on the ball. When Farke’s side did misplace a pass, the Black Cats sprung on the counter. Sunderland’s goal kicked Leeds into life and Trai Hume had to be alert to clear one off the line in the dying embers of the game pushing for a late leveller. But that push too little, too late.