Michael Skubala was delighted to see his Leeds United U21s side overcome a huge test at Sunderland to grind out a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. The result saw Leeds continue their unbeaten start to the season and retain their spot at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table, but they were certainly made to work for it.
The Whites named an unchanged side on Wearside, meaning the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Wilfried Gnonto started for the second youth game running, but they were met with a strong Sunderland outfit, with the Black Cats using the contest as an opportunity to give first-team players some minutes. As such, Leeds were forced to dig deep at times, but Gnonto’s second half effort was enough to take home the three points as the Italy international bagged his first goal in Leeds colours with a neat strike.
However, Skubala took the opportunity to hail his side’s superb defensive performance with Cody Drameh, Morten Spencer, Kris Moore and Harvey Sutcliffe all picking praise for helping to keep their hosts at bay in front of a small crowd.
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“A top test for both teams,” Skubala said after the game. “They had a good team out, we had a good team out and we knew it'd be a strong game.
“They've got some really good players on loan from big clubs and they've got tricky wingers. I thought the first half was a real sort of open but toe to toe game and then I thought, second half, we dominated. We'd got inside, changed a few things and tidied up a few things and I thought we were good.
“Kris Moore has really sort of taken a leadership role on to organise because he's probably the most consistent one in the team. Morton's come in alongside him and I think he's done really well. I think he did really well today, he was tackling, he was heading, but also his balls forward were superb, so he’s had a real good game.
“Harvey was really good until he had to go off of injury and then Cody, I think goes under the radar, but he's had three really top games and against that good winger (Jewison Bennette), Cody was controlling him. So as a back four, they were really good today.”
The U21s chief also spoke about Gnonto, who is still waiting to make his first senior appearance for the Whites since his arrival from FC Zurich over the summer.
“He's got his first, he's really happy,“ he added. “I think he was lively. I think he could have had a couple more I think as the game went on, but I think he's happy to get a goal. So it’s good.”
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