Opta Index

Charlie McFaulds reporting

Sunderland recorded their first top-flight victory over Leeds on Wearside for 21 years thanks to two goals in seven minutes by Julio Arca and Kevin Phillips.

The last time the men from the North-East beat United was in the old Second Division in October 1988, and few could have denied them their Premiership win here today.

The hosts served notice after only five minutes when Jason McAteer flighted a cross from a short corner - which he had done well to earn - and Darren Williams was denied a goal by Olivier Dacourt's presence a yard from the goal line.

Leeds, who had won all six Premiership games against Sunderland before today, were limited to set-piece opportunities in the opening 15 minutes, and their frustration was evident as Alan Smith clashed with Emerson Thome on the touchline.

As the temperature rose around the Stadium of Light, tackles became impetuous, but Leeds almost went ahead when David Batty sent Robbie Keane through the centre, however Thomas Sorensen dived to his right to save the young Irish striker's shot.

That chance seemed to galvanise Leeds and they took a firm grip of proceedings with Dacourt, Danny Mills and Eirik Bakke probing at the Sunderland defence. Phillips and Niall Quinn were forced to drop deeper into their own half to get the ball.

Sorensen again denied Keane five minutes before the break when he raced to the edge of his box to win a challenge, after the striker was sent clear by a quick Batty free-kick from the half-way line. The Danish keeper then made a diving save from a Smith shot moments later.

Peter Reid's men got their second half off to a superb start when they took the lead three minutes after the interval. Dominic Matteo 's headed clearance was driven low by McAteer and although Nigel Martyn saved the shot, he could do nothing to prevent Arca hammering home the rebound.

Leeds attempted to hit back and Dacourt was unlucky when he volleyed an Ian Harte corner through a ruck of players only to see Sorensen waiting to collect the ball.

The Black Cats increased their lead on 55 minutes when the tightly marked Quinn rose to chest the ball off to Phillips with his back to goal, and the England striker caught the ball on the bounce to drive a powerful shot past Martyn from 20-yards.

Leeds attempted claw their way back again, and Harte came close with a free-kick, before Sorensen produced his best save yet to snub Keane out again.

Smith: reckless tackles

The Leeds striker was involved in a moment of controversy on 68 minutes when he slipped the ball past Michael Gray inside the box and went down under a second challenge from Bert Haas, Keane obviously felt it was a penalty, but referee Graham Barber accused him of diving and produced a yellow card.

Sunderland then almost added to David O'Leary's misery when McAteer hit the top of the post with a free-kick two minutes later. Then Smith, who had a running battle with Thome all afternoon, entered the notebook after a typically reckless lunge at Haas.

Without their Australian contingent Leeds lacked vitality in their game, and missed a chance to go clear of the pack at the top of the table. Sunderland move up five places in the league, and deserved their overdue success against the Yorkshire club.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Thomas Sorensen (Sunderland
The Danish keeper made vital saves at key moments in the game and was instrumental in helping Sunderland to their first victory over Leeds in the Premiership.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Haas, Thome, Williams, Gray, Arca, McCann, Thirlwell, McAteer (McCartney 87), Quinn (Laslandes 69), Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Macho, Schwarz, Butler.
Booked: Quinn. 

Leeds: Martyn, Harte, Matteo, Ferdinand, Mills, Johnson, Dacourt, Bakke, Batty, Smith, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Kelly, McPhail, Wilcox, Duberry, Robinson.
Booked: Mills, Keane, Smith.

Att: 48,005
Ref: G Barber (Tring).

Opta Index (Match Stats)

Sunderland	Team	Leeds
2	Goals	0
5	Shots On Target (inc Goals)	7
5	Shots Off Target	5
2	Blocked Shots	2
5	Corners	3
25	Fouls	10
3	Offsides	4
1	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0