Sunderland created more chances but could not beat Leeds

Sunderland and Leeds drew 0-0 at the Stadium of Light, with the home side making more of the chances without turning any into a goal.

J. Trafford made four saves for Leeds, and the Stadium of Light went home without a goal, a scoreline that hides how much of the afternoon belonged to the home side. Sunderland had the better chances, and the question was whether they could turn them into something. They could not. Expected goals, a rough measure of how likely each shot was to go in based on where it was taken from, is the best way to see why.

Sunderland had 51% of the ball, a touch above their usual 48.3%, and used it to take 15 shots, where a typical home match brings 11.4. Eight of those came from inside the box, the area where most goals are scored. Their expected goals total reached 1.01, compared with an average of 0.82 at home. The chances were better than usual, but none of that quality reached the net.

Leeds were the quieter side in attack. They had 49% of the ball, a little above their away average of 47%, but took 10 shots where an average away match brings 11.6. Their expected goals total of 0.39 sits well below the 0.86 they usually produce on the road. They had possession and very little to show for it in front of goal.

The more telling comparison is at the other end. Sunderland usually concede chances worth 2.04 expected goals at home, and the total Leeds reached was only a fraction of that. The back line had a calmer afternoon than its usual numbers suggest it would. Trafford's four saves were needed on a handful of moments rather than a flood of them, which is why the goalkeeper's rating of 7.6 is the clearest single measure of his day.

Discipline did not shape the game. Leeds picked up two yellow cards, Ampadu early in the first half and Bogle at 67, while Sunderland had one, through Reinildo Isnard Mandava at 39. Neither side lost a man, so the match kept its shape to the end. Nilson Angulo, on as a substitute at 79, won nine duels after arriving, a sign of how busy the closing stages were in midfield.

The table is where the afternoon weighs most. Sunderland sit 20th after seven league matches, with four points from those games and only six goals scored across them. Leeds have ten points from the same number of matches, which places them 8th. Both clubs had reasons to want more from this fixture, and neither got it.

Leeds leave with a point and remain 8th, while Sunderland stay 20th, a position the goalless draw did nothing to change.

Player of the matchJ. Trafford4 saves7.6

N. Mukiele4 duels won7.2

S. Longstaff2 shots on target7.0

N. Okafor1 chance created6.9