Sunderland 0-0 Leeds: Premier League – as it happened

Match report: Sunderland 0-0 Leeds

Régis Le Bris can usually do impassive to perfection but, of L’Équipe who came up with the idea of crowning the world’s best player every year.

The switch of venue to England from its usual home in Paris is a mark of respect to the man who became the first active player to receive a knighthood in 1965, a few months before retiring at the age of 50. It also provides an opportunity to recall an astonishing career that began with his local side Stoke in 1932 and made the “Wizard of Dribble” the most famous player on the planet.

“Most teams have one player whose absence makes them worse,” writes Kári Tulinius. “Usually it’s because, like with Enciso at Ipswich, it’s their best player. Without Brobbey, Sunderland are much diminished, but he’s not obviously in a different class. However, with his diligent harrying and intelligent movement, he creates space for his teammates. Even in a poor game he’s a joy to .”

His hold-up play reminds me of Mark Hughes at Manchester United. You could throw any old filth at him and he would somehow control it, fight off four defenders and play the right pass.

That was hard work for the fans, never mind the players. A gale-force wind made it tricky to put more than a few passes together. The closest we came to a goal was when Brian Brobbey forced a short backpass and was denied by James Trafford.

45 min There will be one minute of additional wind.

44 min Calvert-Lewin seizes on a poor touch from O’Nien and appears to be fouled. Stuart Attwell disagrees.

Moments later, O’Nien makes an important last-ditch tackle on Calvert-Lewin to redeem a mix-up between him and Reinildo.