POLL: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 0: Echoes of ’73 but Leeds impress with spirited second-half show

Just as on that fateful Wembley day on May 5, 1973, Sunderland – cast in the role of Goliath as opposed to David this time around – prevailed thanks to a solitary first-half goal just after the half-hour mark, Patrick van Aanholt the scorer.

For Leeds, there was perhaps a touch more comfort to take home than on that wretched Spring afternoon over 41 years ago, which provided arguably the biggest cup final shock of all time.

The game saw a role reversal from the events of ’73, with Sunderland – strong favourites – providing a nostalgic rewind when a number of heroes from Bob Stokoe’s all-conquering line-up, including Jimmy Montgomery, Dennis Tueart, Micky Horswill and Dick Malone, appeared on the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Sunderland’s success in 1973 was hewn from an unquenchable team spirit, organisation, desire and willingness to battle against considerable odds.

These are traits which Leeds could do with at the moment, but which were sadly absent on Wearside in the first half before the visitors finally realised they were in a cup tie in the second.

The upshot was that Leeds produced a far more combative and stirring performance which, on another day, could have yielded them a result.

No revenge for ’73, then, but at least it provided something to take into the key Championship battles ahead, starting with Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.

A much-changed Leeds side – featuring seven changes from the side who meekly downed tools in the second half at Derby last Tuesday – went close to upsetting their top-flight rivals.

It may not have represented something to rue along the lines of Montgomery’s spellbinding double save to deny Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer, but the fact that Liam Cooper’s stoppage-time header hit a post instead of going into the net was a moment for Leeds fans to bemoan.

On a few occasions before that, Leeds also handed Gus Poyet’s side a scare, with Adryan setting the tone for a much more presentable second period when he was denied by Costel Pantilimon before Brian Montenegro went close.

A moment of controversy also saw Charlie Taylor fouled by substitute Seb Larsson perilously close to the penalty area, but a free-kick – and not a spot-kick – was awarded. But it was a performance that will have encouraged the travelling United hordes, who saw starts handed to forgotten men Casper Sloth and Luke Murphy, and Dario Del Fabro and Brian Montenegro.

Most of the animation in the first period came from the 5,200-strong Leeds contingent, again in commendable voice despite having precious little to cheer about on the pitch.

For Sunderland, with just one home win to their name heading into the game, it was far too easy as Leeds’s right-hand side was exposed time and time again. The inevitable conclusion was an expertly-taken strike from van Aanholt on 33 minutes.

Emanuele Giaccherini had bamboozled Gaetano Berardi before being denied by the reactions of Marco Silvestri.

Soon after Ricky Alvarez’s header was deflected onto the crossbar before Stephen Fletcher missed a sitter.

Sloth then blocked Santiago Vergini’s header on the goalline before Fletcher teed up buccaneering left-back van Aanholt, who let fly with a screaming low shot which flew past Silvestri.

Leeds, with four dispiriting defeats in their previous five matches side, might have feared further damage to both pride and morale was on the cards.

But what travelling supporters witnessed on the restart was a pleasant surprise.

Displaying far more urgency, Leeds spurned a great chance to level when Antenucci found Adryan, whose shot was blocked by the previously underemployed Pantilimon.

The transfusion in confidence in Leeds’s ranks soon became more notable with Sunderland perhaps lulled into a comfort zone after they had enjoyed a stroll in the first half.

That said, the misfiring Fletcher spurned a great chance to ease the hosts’ passage.

But his point-blank effort was saved by Silvestri on 69 minutes and his ordinary day continued to the end when he missed a couple more chances.

Ex-Leeds loanee Connor Wickham was also denied and it was the prelude to a late cameo from Leeds, which almost rescued a replay when Cooper’s header following Murphy’s cross hit the post.

Sunderland: Vergini; Vergini, Coates, O’Shea, van Aanholt; Bridcutt; Alvarez (Wickham 45), Rodwell (Larsson 37), Gomez, Giaccherini (Johnson 73); Fletcher. Unused substitutes: Stryjek, Buckley, Beadling, Robson.

Leeds United: Silvestri; Berardi, Cooper, Del Fabro, C Taylor; Murphy, Austin; Sloth, Adryan (Sharp 62), Montenegro (Doukara 85); Antenucci. Unused substitutes: S Taylor, Thompson, Dawson, Killock, Phillips.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).