Sunderland 2 Leeds United 0

LEEDS United may have been handing out gifts all season, but for 65 minutes yesterday, the struggling Yorkshiremen's generosity was wasted at the Stadium of Light.

In front of Sunderland's biggest crowd of the season - 40,116 - Roy Keane's men had to be patient, before David Connolly and Grant Leadbitter finally settled what was a thoroughly deserved win.

After a frustrating first half, in which the Wearsiders failed to make their possession count, Leeds' frailties were eventually exposed in the second 45 minutes.

And, after Connolly opened the scoring before Leaditter added a second, Sunderland could easily have scored more as Leeds capitulated.

After their recent seven-match unbeaten run was brought to an end at Crystal Palace on Friday, Sunderland provided the perfect response.

However, against a Leeds side struggling to avoid relegation to League One, Keane's only gripe will be his team's failure to kill the game off sooner.

In his programme notes Keane emphasised the importance of making a positive start and the Black Cats did not disappoint in the opening minutes. If only, Keane must wish, his side was capable of dictating play for longer periods.

Sunderland fans have become accustomed to bright starts only to see their side invite the opposition out of their shells and that was again in evidence yesterday.

With six minutes played Leeds keeper Tony Warner almost let in Connolly when he fumbled a hopeful ball into the box, before collecting at the second attempt.

Warner again failed to collect at the first time of asking, this time spilling Leadbitter's 25-yard effort before finally gathering.

Referee Graham Salisbury showed some lenience in the 18th minute when he could have booked Dean Whitehead for a dive after the right-back decided to take a tumble over the foot of wing-back Eddie Lewis.

Tresor Kandol, who was struggling to make an impact on loan at Darlington this time last year, came close to scoring for the visitors when he out-muscled Steven Caldwell, before heading Ian Westlake's cross wide.

In the 22nd minute the faintest of Dwight Yorke touches from Liam Miller's dangerous cross almost gave Sunderland the lead as Warner was saved by his near post.

At the other end, and after Whitehead wasted possession with a woeful crossfield pass, Jonathon Douglas picked the ball up from Leeds skipper Shaun Derry, before firing into the arms of Darren Ward.

However, the best chance of the half fell to the home side when Stephen Elliott saw his angled effort from 12 yards brilliantly turned around the post by Warner.

After a bright start to the second half, Miller found space on the edge of the Leeds box, but the midfielder could only fire high over the bar.

And, amid protestations among the home crowd, when the impressive Ugo Ehiogu man-handled Connolly to the ground, Daryl Murphy picked up the ball only to slice his effort wide.

With Sunderland in the ascendancy, Miller again tried his luck from, sending another hopeful effort well over the bar from 40 yards.

Keane then signalled his attacking intentions with the 59th minute introduction of Ross Wallace for the ineffective Elliott.

Murphy was next up to test the Leeds rearguard when he cut in from the right, before firing low at Warner to collect comfortably.

Warner was finally beaten in the 65th minute by Connolly's fine individual effort. Running on to Yorke's pass, there appeared to be little danger as the forward headed for the byline. But, after checking back inside past Matt Heath, Connolly created a big enough of angle to fire past Warner at his near post.

The lead almost proved short-lived as Sunderland had Caldwell to thank for bravely heading away Frazer Richardson's goal-bound effort.

But, just moments after Leeds No.2 Gus Poyet was sent to the stands for throwing a ball onto the pitch, Leadbitter added Sunderland's second with a fine drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

As full-time approached Connolly was denied his second goal of the afternoon by the brave goalkeeping of Warner.