Leeds United’s victory over Sunderland on Monday night was a thrilling encounter at Elland Road, as the Whites staged a dramatic late comeback.
The match was expected to be a difficult test for Leeds, and it lived up to that expectation. Sunderland took the lead in the first half, and as the game progressed, Leeds struggled to break through their opponents’ defense. Frustration grew among the home supporters, who began to question what the remainder of the season would hold for their club.
A win for Sunderland would have had major implications in the Championship title race. It would have kept Sheffield United at the top of the table while also intensifying the battle for promotion. However, Leeds found a way to turn the game around, thanks to a crucial tactical decision by their manager.
In a decisive move, Daniel Farke introduced Joe Rothwell and Pascal Struijk from the bench. Rothwell made an immediate impact, delivering pinpoint assists for both of Struijk’s late goals. The first equalized the match, and the second, a dramatic header in the final moments of stoppage time, secured a 2-1 victory. The late winner sent Elland Road into rapturous celebrations, though one fan was unfortunate enough to sustain an injury in the process.
Dislocated my shoulder celebrating that winner, hope Struijk is expecting an invoice #lufc @LUFC pic.twitter.com/mACTRq9nFb
— AlfieFG 🦚 (@FGAlfie) February 17, 2025
One Leeds supporter dislocated his shoulder while celebrating Struijk’s last-minute goal. His post about the incident on social media quickly went viral, as he jokingly suggested that Struijk should expect an invoice for the injury. The Dutch defender took notice of the post and responded directly, asking how he could help, seemingly offering to compensate the fan in some way.
Struijk has been a key player for Leeds this season, making 28 appearances in the Championship and scoring five goals from center-back. However, he has not started a league match since New Year’s Day due to an injury that allowed Ethan Ampadu to take his place in the lineup.
Farke’s decision to bring Struijk into the match raised some eyebrows, as he substituted Ao Tanaka and opted to bring on a defender instead of attacking reinforcements. After the match, the Leeds manager explained his reasoning, emphasizing the importance of set-pieces.
“Normally, in a game like this, you bring on attacking players,” Farke said. “But we were winning a lot of set-pieces, and I wanted to use that to our advantage. That’s why I brought on Joe Rothwell, our best set-piece taker, and Pascal Struijk, our biggest aerial threat.”
The decision paid off as Struijk’s two headed goals secured the comeback win, highlighting his strength in aerial duels. His performance could now see him return to the starting lineup, especially after Ethan Ampadu’s underwhelming display against Sunderland. With Leeds preparing to face Sheffield United, Struijk’s presence in defense could prove vital.