Emirates FA Cup
Derby County 1 (Brereton Diaz 35’)
Leeds United 3 (Gnonto 55’, Tanaka 59’, Justin 90+3')
Derby: Zetterstrom (GK), Forsyth, Batth, Langas, Blackett-Taylor (Brewster 63’), Salvesen (Agyemang 73’), Ward, Brereton Diaz, Travis (C) (Ozoh 63’), Fraulo (Adams 46’), Clark (Eames 73’). Subs not used: O’Donnell (GK), Weimann, Elder, Nelson.
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ampadu, Piroe (Stach 89'), Nmecha, Bijol, Okafor (Aaronson 89'), Harrison, Tanaka, Bornauw (Justin 46’), Gnonto (Byram 86'), Gruev (Longstaff 73’). Subs not used: Perri (GK), Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Chambers.
Venue: Pride Park
Attendance: 21,741
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Booked: Fraulo (Derby) Harrison (Leeds)
Leeds United’s Emirates FA Cup campaign began with a third round tie away at Sky Bet Championship side, Derby County. Backed by a superb following as always, over 5,000 Whites packed into the away end in support of Daniel Farke’s side and were rewarded with a 3-1 win!
The team news saw eight changes made after the Premier League defeat at Newcastle United in midweek, as Farke was able to rotate his squad for the lunchtime kick-off in the East Midlands.
In charge in the middle, Anthony Taylor’s whistle sounded to start the match, and both teams went in search of a quick opening to the game under the rain-soaked Pride Park turf.
The first real effort on goal took half an hour to come and the Whites were within inches of taking the lead. Lukas Nmecha pushed forward with the ball, which was worked to Joel Piroe in the box and the forward struck powerfully, only to be denied by the inside of the post.
Just moments later, the visitors had two further efforts. Noah Okafor cut in from the wing and forced Jacob Zetterstrom into a good save, before the next chance fell to Ilia Gruev, from which the ‘keeper saved once more.
In what had been a dominant spell from Farke’s side, the referee was then pointing to the spot after Piroe played in Nmecha, who rounded Zetterstrom, before being brought down.
It was Piroe who stepped up to take the penalty, but redeeming himself, the Derby number 1 guessed correctly and produced an excellent save to deny the forward.
Despite the spell of pressure, it was the Rams who went into the lead with their first meaningful effort on goal. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall kindly to Ben Brereton Diaz who turned home left-footed.
Looking to finish the half strongly, Leeds tested the ‘keeper again. Wilfried Gnonto’s 25-yard effort was claimed at the second attempt, before Piroe and Okafor forced further saves.
HALF TIME: Derby County 1-0 Leeds United
Back out for the second half, there was a change on each side. Sebastiaan Bornauw was replaced by James Justin for Leeds, whereas the hosts brought on Ebou Adams for Oscar Fraulo who was on a yellow card from the first half.
Like in the first half, Farke’s side were keeping up the pressure on the Derby goal, and this time they found the back of the net to level the scores!
Jaka Bijol was the provider as he pushed forward and played a low ball towards Piroe, which the forward cleverly dummied by stepping over it for Gnonto, who smashed home into the roof of the net!
Just a few minutes later and Leeds were ahead! Piroe again was heavily involved, his low effort was brilliantly saved by Zetterstrom again, but on the follow up Ao Tanaka was there to fire home the rebound!
Returning from injury, Sean Longstaff entered with around 20 minutes remaining. He replaced the hard-working Gruev at the heart of the midfield.
Between the posts, Zetterstrom was continuing his fine afternoon for the home side. Jack Harrison whipped in a cross which Nmecha connected well with, only to see his header added to a growing list of good saves.
Deep into the last 10 minutes, Farke again looked to his bench to secure the backline, adding Sam Byram into the mix in place of equaliser-scoring Gnonto. Soon after, a double change was made, Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson replaced Piroe and Okafor.
With four minutes added on, the Whites netted again to seal progression to the next round! Nmecha did brilliantly to play the ball across the box to Justin following a smart move. The full-back slotted under Zetterstrom to make it three just before Taylor blew for full time, confirming a spot in the fourth round!
FULL TIME: Derby County 1-3 Leeds United
