Leeds may just have sauntered past one of their nearest challengers, but as many Yorkshiremen as Mackems traipsed off Wearside on Saturday wondering what might have been.
The visitors extended their unbeaten run to nine games with this textbook away performance, soaking up Sunderland's feverish early attacks before easing ahead from a set piece. Even the dismissal of Alan Smith did little to disrupt their rhythm, and a late second plundered on the break duly reflected their overall superiority.
Lee Bowyer had already fluffed two chances when clean through before Ian Harte's corner was nodded back by the unmarked Harry Kewell and Smith headed his 14th goal of the season past a static Thomas Sorensen. But the England Under-21 striker's day subsequently fell apart. Booked for a foul near the corner flag, he flicked his foot in the direction of Sunderland's new right back, Patrice Carteron - who spent the afternoon with arm aloft playing Leeds attackers on-side - and the Frenchman crumpled to the ground. Smith saw a second flash of yellow before Steve Dunn produced a red card.
"I like him upsetting centre halves as long as it is done in a controlled manner," said David O'Leary. "I've no sympathy for him, but he's a good player and Sven Goran Eriksson knows he is the future of England. I wouldn't say he was a thug - that's a strong word - but he has got to learn."
Without him Leeds' game plan remained unchanged and was rewarded when Bowyer touched a quick free-kick to Robbie Keane. The Irishman advanced, cut inside Emerson Thome and slipped the ball to Mark Viduka, who poked home his fifth goal in five games.
Sunderland may not have won a league game at home since New Year's Day, but this was only the second time they had conceded two goals on their own patch this season. The defeat knocked the stuffing out of Peter Reid's celebrations on his sixth anniversary as manager. Nevertheless, Mackems left muttering in frustration that Rio Ferdinand's clumsy, 31st-minute clash with Kevin Phillips on the edge of the area went unpunished.
"That decision could have changed the game," said Michael Gray, neglecting to mention that Smith was the victim of an equally dubious yet unpunished foul by Jody Craddock just after halftime. "He was the last man and was fortunate to stay on the pitch."
O'Leary will be without Lucas Radebe for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna after the South African strained knee ligaments.
Sunderland: Sorensen, Carteron, Craddock (Varga 75), Thome, Gray, McCann, Kilbane (Butler 67), Schwarz, Arca, Phillips, Hutchison (Dichio 66). Subs Not Used: Williams, Macho. Booked: Varga. Leeds: Martyn, Harte, Radebe (Kelly 45), Ferdinand, Mills, Kewell (Keane 83), Batty, Dacourt (Bakke 9), Bowyer, Viduka, Smith. Subs Not Used: Robinson, Wilcox. Sent Off: Smith (71). Booked: Radebe, Smith. Goals: Smith 33, Viduka 90. Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
