Sunderland's interim manager Mike Dodds made it two wins from two with an impressive victory over Leeds United on Tuesday night.

The caretaker has impressed with two wins against fellow playoff candidates West Bromwich Albion and Leeds but reports suggest that he could be replaced by Stade de Reims manager Will Still in the near future. 

After a close-fought game 78 minutes, Jobe Bellingham's opener was enough for the Black Cats to earn a huge three points on Tuesday night, as they recorded a second successive home win. 

Leeds, with their impressive attack, were always going to cause problems at the Stadium of Light and they came closest to an opener when Anthony Patterson tipped Crysencio Summerville's dipping free-kick just over the bar. 

Sunderland were looking threatening too and Jenson Seelt will be wondering how he didn't get on the scoresheet, after his goalbound effort was first turned away by Pascal Struijk before Illan Meslier produced a phenomenal save to deny his header. 

Another Sunderland corner in the second half nearly led to the opener, but it was Leeds United who came close. They countered quickly and Jack Clarke couldn't deal with Summerville's pace, with the Dutchman reaching the penalty area but firing his shot straight at Patterson. 

On 78 minutes, the hosts found a breakthrough. Dan Neil's cross was initially headed away but Alex Pritchard intelligently headed the ball immediately back into the box. 

Bellingham was alive to the situation and beat Meslier to the ball with his head to score the crucial opening goal. 

Leeds threw everything they had to try and find an equaliser in the dying stages and nearly found the elusive goal with just two minutes remaining. 

Joel Piroe danced around Luke O'Nien in the box following Wilfried Gnonto's cross and poked the ball goalwards past Patterson, but Trai Hume was perfectly placed to clear the ball off the line. 

Another stellar result for the Black Cats sees them maintain their spot in sixth, ahead of Saturday's fixture against Bristol City. 

Whether Dodds will still be in charge for that game remains to be seen.