Leeds United won comfortably against old boss Simon Grayson’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Yorkshire side won 2-0 in a commanding performance which showed they can win without star striker Chris Wood.

The New Zealander is due to have a medical at Premier League side Burnley in the coming days as Leeds have accepted a £15m bid for the striker.

Goals from Samu Diaz and Stuart Dallas gave United the win, Saiz scored the opener midway through the first half. Dallas added a second for the visitors late on, meaning the Yorkshire club now move up to fifth in the league table.

On the defeat Sunderland boss Grayson said: “I don’t think you could fault the players effort, commitment and work rate because they were going right to the final whistle. The key moments in the game were the difference.

“For 20 minutes, we started the game really well and Grabban’s effort has hit (Liam) Cooper on the head and then hit the bar. Unfortunately, they went down the other end and 60/70 seconds later and we are 1-0 and that was against the run of play.”

Leeds manager Thomas Christensen said firstly on his side’s display: “I believe it’s very important for the team and for the confidence. We’re still unbeaten and that’s important. We had to face a very good team, a strong team. We knew their strengths and we had to put ourselves into the game. But I believe we controlled it all.”

However all the questions post match were about Chris Wood’s future, with Christensen saying: “It’s not a one man show, we are a team. Today we worked as a team, not individuals. Everyone showed they can play.

“When one player doesn’t want to stay then there’s nothing to do. I can understand his situation. He could also have the possibility to grow with Leeds but it’s his decision, I have to respect it. The club has decided to accept the offer [from Burnley]. It’s just a matter to make the medical check.”