SUNDERLAND star Luke O’Nien was booked for his cheeky trick at Leeds.
O’Nien, 31, started a Premier League match for the very first time, leading his side out at Elland Road as skipper.
Luke O’Nien picked up a very cheeky yellow card at LeedsCredit: TNT Sports
He deliberately kicked a stray ball towards the Leeds attackCredit: TNT Sports
The Black Cats man ended up hitting his own team-mate and getting bookedCredit: TNT Sports
O’Nien protested his innocence despite the damning evidenceCredit: TNT Sports
And he made sure it would be a memorable full Prem debut.
But the Black Cats star may have used up one of his ‘Nien lives to get away from the stadium as clinched all three points in controversial fashion.
Wind-up merchant was right at the thick of it as he lived up to his reputation in style against Leeds.
With the score 0-0 in first-half injury-time, the hosts went on the attack.
But as O’Nien slotted into his defensive shape, he spotted a rogue football had made its way on to the pitch.
Not one to miss an opportunity for the chance to produce some top-tier banter, O’Nien immediately ran over to the spare rolling football.
And with one touch, he deliberately tried to pass it towards Leeds ace Brenden Aaronson, who had the actual matchball.
Instead, he kicked it into his own team-mate Lutsharel Geertruida.
Geertruida flagged the extra ball on the pitch to referee Stuart Attwell, unbeknownst to him it had been sent his way by O’Nien.
But Attwell clocked what O’Nien had done and booked him when play came to a halt – despite the defender playing dumb and protesting his innocence.
The clip was picked up on social media – and prompted a wave of reactions.
One fan said: “Most booking ever.”
Another wrote: “You gotta admire the cheek, even if it cost him a yellow!”
A third added: “Luke O’Nien is such a s***house.”
A fourth typed: “You’d be fuming as a Leeds fan.”
And a final user commented: “I love Luke O’Nien.”
Luke O'Nien tried to kick a second ball into the Leeds attack and ended up in the book just before half time 🟨 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1IWAYEkYk3
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 3, 2026
To make matters worse for , O’Nien escaped giving a seemingly blatant penalty away for wrestling Pascal Struijk to the ground.
He was then named man of the match, which was – awarded after a questionable Ethan Ampadu handball following a VAR check.
It is not the first time witty O’Nien has cracked fans up with his brilliant antics.
In 2023, he on now-Bournemouth ace Alex Scott.
O’Nien – who – also had supporters giggling by .
Stuart Attwell clamped down on the banterCredit: Alamy
O’Nien got the last laugh as Sunderland won 1-0Credit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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