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They still talk fondly on Wearside of Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup final, when Jimmy Montgomery’s goalkeeping heroics proved decisive.
On Tuesday night Melker Ellborg, a 22-year-old Swede recently signed from Malmo for £3million, wrote his name into Sunderland folklore with a debut to savour as deputy for Robin Roefs, absent with a hamstring injury.
Ellborg held his nerve in a victory which lifted Regis Le Bris’ men to 40 points and left Leeds far too close to the relegation zone for comfort.
As a spectacle it was a tough watch at times as Daniel Farke’s hosts sorely lacked the guile and creativity required to unlock a dogged Sunderland rearguard.
Nevertheless, it was a win chiselled on aggression and obstinate defending for Le Bris’ side, who scored with their only shot on target in the 70th minute when midfielder Habib Diarra fired home from the penalty spot.
Leeds had seen a headed goal by defender Joe Rodon ruled out for offside moments earlier by VAR, with the Welshman’s captain Ethan Ampadu then punished for handling Wilson Isidor’s shot.
Sunderland debutant Melker Ellborg (centre) shone in goal during their 1-0 win at Leeds United
Habib Diarra scored the only goal of the game with a penalty in the second half for the visitors
After another VAR check, referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot and Diarra – a player who opted to join Sunderland from Strasbourg ahead of Leeds in the summer – fired home.
Le Bris said: ‘Melker was just happy to play, which is more or less the mentality of the squad.
‘We are young – he is young – but he’s ready to play and he feels the support. And he did very well.
‘I told the players, if we win here, it means a lot. With their intensity, they had a good run, and they are a good team with a strong crowd, strong energy.
‘This place, if you win here, it feels a lot about the character, the intensity and the togetherness of the squad.’
Leeds boss Farke was left fuming after Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Manchester City which saw him sent off for the first time in his managerial career.
The German, who was in the dugout here but looks set to serve a one-match touchline ban during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Norwich, was beside himself again.
His men were left bitterly frustrated by Sunderland’s approach which saw them disrupt Leeds and prevent any real flow to the game.
Farke, who felt Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien’s first-half challenge on Pascal Struijk should have earned Leeds a penalty, said: ‘Sunderland are in their dressing room struggling to explain how they won the game.
‘Some crazy decisions went against us, but being self-critical, we need to be more brutal in front of goal.
‘It’s important that you are not in losing position against Sunderland.
‘Otherwise they are smart, if you want to label it smart, also in the game management and what happens makes it so difficult.’
Joe Rodon (left) thought he put Leeds ahead but his goal was ruled out for offside by VAR
During the first half, Anton Stach tried to curl a right-footed effort which drew a smart save from Ellborg, who dived to his right to push the ball away at the expense of a corner.
Yet Leeds appeared to have made the breakthrough in the 65th minute when Rodon headed in a Stach free-kick.
A VAR check confirmed the Wales defender was offside and it was not long before Sunderland pilfered the points.
Isidor hit a left-foot shot which Ampadu blocked, but a VAR check deemed he had handled, giving Diarra the chance to score from 12 yards.
Karl Darlow got something on Diarra’s spot-kick but it was not enough to keep the ball out of the net as Sunderland held on for a huge win.
