Leeds United remain six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone following their 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Richard Garnett
10:49, 01 Mar 2026Updated 11:12, 01 Mar 2026
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin shoots during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Leeds United should put their Premier League survival beyond question if they win against Sunderland on Tuesday evening, according to Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams.
Daniel Farke's side ended Saturday 15th in the table after being edged out 1-0 at Elland Road by title-chasing Manchester City. The hosts started well and applied plenty of pressure to City's goal, but were undone on the stroke of half-time by a slick passing sequence that resulted in Antoine Semenyo scoring the only goal of the game.
With West Ham losing at Anfield, it leaves the Whites six points clear of safety, and former Wales international Williams believes that Farke's side has shown a significant enough improvement in performances to ensure that their return to the top flight is not a one-season affair.
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Leeds host Sunderland next on Tuesday evening to face a Black Cats side that has only one win in their last six matches.
Speaking about the Whites on Match of the Day, Williams said: "They've been impressive. Even today, they were really good. Playing against Manchester City, they didn't sit back, they full pressed. I think Daniel Farke's got them playing some good football now. They understand each other's roles. If they go and get that win [against Sunderland] they'll be alright."
If Leeds are to claim an important home win at Elland Road on Tuesday, they will do so without Farke being in the dugout after the German was sent off against Leeds for remonstrating with the referee following the full-time whistle against City.
Assistant Manager Eddie Riemer was forced to fill in media duties after the match as a consequence. He told Match of the Day: "I just had a short chat [with Daniel Farke]. Six minutes added time, they were time wasting and there were incidents; the goalkeeper keeping the ball so he was emotional in terms of going on the pitch and asking.
"Maybe he did it in a too aggressive manner I would think. I am disappointed because he's never a manager who's over aggressive or over reacting. I think it's a very harsh decision."
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Leeds have 10 matches left to ensure their Premier League survival. The home match against Sunderland is followed up by and FA Cup fifth round tie against Norwich City before the Whites hit the road to face Crystal Palace a week later.
They will finish off the month with a home game against Brentford.
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