Leeds United extended an unbeaten league streak to five matches with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin kept a prolific scoring run going at the Stadium of Light, although Daniel Farke’s
side left feeling they should have converted pressure into a Premier League victory.
The visitors created the clearer openings and finished with higher expected goals, yet the scoreline stayed level. Leeds generated chances worth 2.03 expected goals compared with Sunderland’s 0.65 xG, which underlined how often Sunderland’s defence was stretched during long spells of the contest.
Sunderland struck first after 28 minutes when Simon Adingra finished neatly to give the hosts control, then Brian Brobbey almost doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, but the forward’s effort came back off the crossbar, keeping Leeds within reach heading into the break.
Leeds responded immediately after half-time. Brenden Aaronson drove into space and delivered a precise low cross, and Calvert-Lewin met the ball first-time in the 47th minute to level the match, before Jayden Bogle spurned a close-range chance that represented the best opportunity for a late winner.
| Team | Goals | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunderland | 1 | 0.65 |
| Leeds United | 1 | 2.03 |
Calvert-Lewin’s finish took the forward to seven goals across the last six league appearances, and this match marked the first time in the striker’s career that Calvert-Lewin has scored in six consecutive Premier League games, highlighting a sustained run of form in front of goal.
The sequence for the equaliser was notable in itself. All 11 Leeds players touched the ball without losing possession in the build-up, making it only the second Premier League goal this season where every outfield player, plus the goalkeeper, was involved, after Rio Ngumoha’s strike for Liverpool against Newcastle United in August.
Leeds United vs Sunderland Premier League draw: Aaronson creativity and wider context
Aaronson’s performance went beyond the assist. The United States international produced a game-high five key passes, attempted three shots and recorded 15 touches inside Sunderland’s penalty area, repeatedly finding gaps between defenders and driving Leeds forward whenever possession turned over.
That attacking output helped Leeds avoid defeat in a Premier League match when trailing at half-time for the first time since November 2022, although the visitors’ second-half pressure did not bring a deciding goal, leaving Farke’s team to settle for a point despite their stronger chances.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏-𝟏 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 Leeds avoid defeat in a Premier League game after trailing at half-time for the first time since November 2022, but can't turn their second-half dominance into three points as it ends all square at the Stadium of Light.#SUNLEE pic.twitter.com/4jdE2yn698Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 28, 2025
For Sunderland, Adingra’s composed finish and Brobbey’s near-miss offered positives, yet the underlying numbers showed Leeds carried greater attacking threat, while for Leeds, the match extended both an unbeaten league sequence and Calvert-Lewin’s scoring streak, supported by Aaronson’s creativity and sustained territory in the final third.
