Jason McAteer's goal 28 seconds into the second half earned Sunderland their first win of the season to end Leeds' unbeaten start and ease the pressure on Black Cats boss Peter Reid.

Leeds' hopes of making an instant return to the top of the Premiership, after being deposed by Arsenal following a 100%, two-match winning start to the season, foundered on poor finishing and obdurate - at times desperate - defending from the visitors.

With Leeds beating newcomers Manchester City 3-0 and West Brom 3-1, Sunderland were being touted as lambs to the slaughter after failing to score in their opening two matches.

But they stifled the life out of Leeds and the match during a first half when they played with 10 men behind the ball, leaving Kevin Phillips a spectator along with the rest of the 39,929 crowd.

Leeds went into the break frustrated, and just 28 seconds following it, they were caught cold as Thomas Butler nipped in to dispossess Harry Kewell before dinking in a cross for Phillips to nod down into the path of McAteer.

From just six yards, the Republic of Ireland international was left with the simple task of beating Paul Robinson with a first-time left-foot shot for only his third Black Cats goal since leaving Blackburn to reignite his career last October.

While his players celebrated breaking their goal drought, Peter Reid sat impassively on the bench, perhaps realising he cannot go through the season with his side living on the edge as they did against Leeds.

Sunderland soaked up enormous amounts of pressure, and while Thomas Sorensen was rarely tested, Matt Piper - starting his first game since his recent £3.5million move from Leicester - did clear a Mark Viduka header off the line as United gathered momentum in search of the equaliser.

Referee Mark Halsey also stepped into the spotlight midway through the second half, denying Leeds what appeared to be a clear penalty when Michael Gray clattered into the back of Viduka as he attempted to rise in meeting a cross from Robbie Keane.

How ironic it was that Keane ultimately ended up on the losing side when he could have currently been playing for Sunderland, only to snub the Wearsiders despite the two sides agreeing a £9million fee in the summer.

Man-of-the-match: Jason McAteer: Has to be the Irish international simply for the importance of his winning goal.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke (Dacourt 54), Barmby (Keane 54), Kewell, Smith, Viduka.
Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly, Woodgate.
Booked: Bowyer, Dacourt.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Wright, Babb, Bjorklund, Gray, Piper (Arca 75), McAteer, Reyna, Thirlwell, Butler, Phillips (Kyle 77).
Subs Not Used: Macho, McCartney, Quinn. 

Att: 39,929
Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).