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Simon Grayson gives one Leeds man credit; comments on Brendan Galloway performance

Macedonia's midfielder Ezgjan Alioski (L) vies with Italy's midfielder Italian midfielder Marco Verratti (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualif...
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The Everton loanee struggled for Sunderland against Leeds United on Saturday.

Simon Grayson has admitted to The Chronicle that Sunderland defender Brendan Galloway struggled against Leeds United winger Ezgjan Alioski, whom he described as a “good player”.

Samu Saiz and Stuart Dallas struck in both halves as Leeds left the Stadium of Light with a 2-0 win over the Black Cats.

Galloway, a summer loan signing from Everton, struggled to contain the lively Alioski, who set up Saiz’s 21st-minute opener and looked menacing throughout.

Shilow Tracey of Tottenham Hotspur controls the ball from Brendan Galloway of Everton during the Premier League 2 match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on April 10,...

Brendan Galloway playing for parent club Everton

And the Sunderland boss admits that the Everton youngster had a tough time of it against the Macedonia international.

Grayson told The Chronicle: “It’s never easy in the Championship. Brendan has done alright for us, but he found it difficult against a good player today.

“It’s a learning curve for everybody and when we analyse it, we won’t get too down just as we won’t get too carried away when we’re winning games.”

Galloway will have easier games this season but Grayson, himself a former Leeds manager, must shield him from criticism, which he has done here.

For the Whites, Thomas Christiansen’s side now have eight points from a possible 12 and this victory is just what the doctor ordered following a couple of 0-0 draws recently.

More impressive, Leeds managed to get the win without linked-away Chris Wood, after the 30-goal striker ruled himself out of facing Sunderland as a move to Burnley looks close.

Brendan Galloway of Sunderland takes on Bradley Johnson and Johnny Russell of Derby County during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Derby County at Stadium of Light on...