Sometimes you need a kick up the bum. And the earlier the better. Leeds United certainly got that last night, putting in a performance that only a manager could love.

In the cold light of day, Leeds had the better xG, had 15 more shots than Sunderland (18 - although only four were on target), and finished the game with 69% possession. These are all statistics Daniel Farke reeled off at full-time.

He was left struggling to understand how the Black Cats had got so lucky - their only shot on target was that penalty. “Sometimes it's written in the stars,” said Farke. But it’s also true that you create your own luck.

Leeds never really looked like scoring and Farke admitted his team lacked bite in the final third.

Anton Stach hit a free-kick that forced a save, Jaka Bijol saw a tight-angle shot smack off the outside of the post via a deflection and Wilfried Gnonto powered an effort wide. But, outside of Joe Rodon’s offside header, that was about as good as it legally got.

Continue Reading: Timely Leeds wake-up call provides fuel to disprove taunt from Sunderland fans