Football – Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for a sixth Premier League game in a row as Leeds fought back to earn a deserved draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The England striker’s 47th-minute strike, which came at the end of a brilliant move where all 11 visiting players touched the ball, was the first time a Leeds player had managed the feat since John McCole netted in six successive top-flight games in the 1959-60 campaign.
Calvert-Lewin’s lovely finish cancelled out a curling 28th-minute effort from Simon Adingra to extend the Whites’ unbeaten run to five games and move them seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham.
Despite a lively start where Daniel Farke’s men enjoyed plenty of possession and went close through Noah Okafor, it was the hosts who struck first.
Leeds could only clear a long throw-in from Nordi Mukiele only as far as Granit Xhaka who played a defence-splitting pass from the edge of the box for Adingra to curl past goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Having been left out of the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, it was his first goal for the club since his summer arrival from Brighton, for whom he last scored in the Premier League at Aston Villa a year ago.
Farke was visibly furious on the touchline as the ball hit the back of the net, with his centre-back Joe Rodon struggling to close down Adingra, and keeping him onside, only moments after getting caught on the ankle by a late challenge from the goalscorer.
After Rodon was replaced, the visitors almost restored parity in the 39th minute when Brenden Aaronson beat Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs with a low shot, only for Trai Hume to clear off the line.
But it was Sunderland who finished the half strongly with Brian Brobbey failing to capitalise on two gilt-edged chances – sending a weak finish past Perri that was cleared by Jaka Bijol after being sent through on goal, before his header brushed the crossbar from an Adingra cross.
They were left to rue those misses when Calvert-Lewin levelled after a wonderful team, applying the finishing touch to a low cross from the impressive Aaronson.
Spurred on by the equaliser, Leeds dominated, but failed to find a way past Sunderland, who maintained their unbeaten run on home soil this season.
“We showed great mentality to come back from a losing position,” said Farke. “Sunderland are difficult to open up so it’s a good point on the road but I had a gut feeling we could win and, if we’d been a bit more clinical, we would have done.
“It’s another step forward but we could have made it a huge step forward. That’s why I’m not dancing on the table tonight.”
Régis Le Bris seemed content enough with a point which means his side remain seventh in the table. “It was very tough,” said the Sunderland manager. “Leeds are in great form and they showed great quality.”
Sunderland are seventh on 28 points while Leeds, with 20 points, are 16th.
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