´The first time I have run too quickly´ – Leeds boss Farke explains Man City red

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says he has learned his lesson after being shown a red card following Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City, ahead of Sunderland visiting Elland Road on Tuesday.

Leeds were arguably unfortunate to lose to Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson missing clear chances in a 1-0 reverse.

After full-time, Farke ran onto the pitch to confront referee Peter Bankes and was shown a red card, which will carry a one-match suspension.

It remains to be seen whether Farke will be on the touchline against Sunderland in midweek, given he has suggested he could appeal, and he offered an explanation for his actions at Monday’s pre-match press conference.

Farke was irked by Bankes not adding on more time after halting the game to book Rayan Ait-Nouri in stoppage time, when Leeds were throwing men forward in search of an equaliser.

“I wanted to ask him, ‘why did you give a yellow card if you don’t add any seconds?’ As soon as I arrived, he had the red card in his hand,” Farke said of the incident.

“I just wanted to ask this question. To show a red card… it was more to embarrass me, to show the world, ‘this guy isn’t worth talking to’. Then I was angry.

“Even then, I didn’t use one bad word. I have learned my lesson. I will never jog again on the pitch.”

Farke then quipped: “As a player, my problem was I was one of the slowest strikers in Europe. This is the first time I am accused of running too quickly on the pitch!”

We keep fighting! pic.twitter.com/38zqaHiZhv

— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 1, 2026

While Leeds’ survival hopes are in their own hands as they sit six points clear of the relegation zone, Sunderland put any fears of the drop behind them long ago.

Regis Le Bris’ side are six points and three places above Leeds in the table after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, and he feels their midfield quartet have been key this season.

“Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra and Enzo le Fee are all connected in such a positive way,” the Frenchman said.

“They are meant to play together. We know there is a fluidity to their movement that is matched with their individual strengths.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

From the end of November to the end of December, Calvert-Lewin scored seven goals from 15 shots in the Premier League, posting a conversion rate of 47%.

However, since the turn of the year, he has only netted twice from 19 shots in the competition, with a 10.5% conversion rate. Will he rediscover his form on Tuesday?

Sunderland – Eliezer Mayenda

Mayenda scored his first league goal since the opening day of the season last time out against Bournemouth.

The Spaniard has only scored in back-to-back league games for Sunderland once before, doing so in February and March last season in the Championship.

MATCH PREDICTION – LEEDS UNITED WIN

Five of the last six Premier League matches between two newly promoted sides have been won by the home team (D1).

This is as many home wins as were seen in the previous 26 meetings between promoted clubs in the division beforehand (six draws, 15 away wins).

Leeds are looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to City, and they have alternated between winning (five) and not winning (D2 L3) in their last 10 Premier League home games.

The times they have failed to win have come against teams currently in the top six of the table, so it is little surprise that the Opta supercomputer is backing them here.

Having won five of their first nine Premier League games this season – going second in the table in October – Sunderland have won just four of their last 19 (D8 L7).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Leeds United – 48.9%

Sunderland – 25.4%

Draw – 25.6%