Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Rodon 39’, Wober 44’)
Luton Town 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Firpo (Wober 21’), Struijk (C), Rodon, James (Ramazani 85’), Rothwell (Guilavogui 85’), Piroe, Aaronson (Joseph 68’), Solomon (Gnonto 68’), Tanaka. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Ampadu, Bamford, Schmidt.
Derby: Zetterstrom (GK), Wilson (Ward 81’), Forsyth, Cashin, Osborn, Yates (Collins 81’), Mendez-Laing (C) (Harness 65’), Phillips, Thompson (Barkhuizen 81’), Jackson (Goudmijn 65’), Nelson. Subs not used: Vickers (GK), Bradley, Blackett-Taylor, Brown.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,468 (2,838 away)
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Booked: Jackson (Derby)
Leeds United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Derby County thanks to first half goals from Joe Rodon and Max Wober, claiming an 11th clean sheet of the Sky Bet Championship season in doing so.
The lunchtime kick-off saw the Whites walk out at Elland Road, facing the Rams in front of both a packed out home and away section in support of their teams.
Both sides were looking to bounce back from defeats last time out and whilst battling each other, they also had strong windy conditions to contend with, which were evident with the first few long balls of the game from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in the Derby net.
Daniel Farke’s side kept the ball well early on and searched for their opening, whilst the visitors kept a solid line of defence, then looked to use the pace of Kayden Jackson on the counter attack when they had possession themselves.
After a start which lacked clear chances, Farke was forced to go to his bench and make a first change. Junior Firpo had picked up an early knock which meant the full-back was replaced by Wober.
Two good openings did then arrive for the hosts. First up Brenden Aaronson worked his way into the box but a diving block from Craig Forsyth turned the ball behind for a corner. From that set-play Rodon found space, but his diving header flew just wide of the post.
Aaronson was looking lively in and around the box and had another good chance as we edged closer to half-time. Ao Tanaka pushed forward and found the American, he turned brilliantly in the box and shot, forcing Zetterstrom to turn it behind.
Similarly to the previous dangerous attack, Joe Rothwell’s corner was swung in superbly for Rodon to attack and this time the defender powered his header on target and found the back of the net, to put his side ahead!
It wouldn’t be long before the lead was doubled, with another defender firing home, following more good play down the wing. Aaronson crossed in from the right and in the box ready to pounce was Wober, up from full-back, to fire home and make it two before the break!
The referee’s whistle sounded to send Farke’s side into their dressing room to applause from the home faithful and a two-goal lead to go with it.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Derby County
Back out for the second 45 minutes with no further changes to either side, it was played early on in a similar way to the opening half at Elland Road, with Leeds seeing much of the ball.
Aaronson was again heavily involved and he found Manor Solomon in space, the winger cut back inside and curled an effort narrowly wide of the top corner with Zetterstrom at full-stretch.
That partnership was in action again moments later, this time the Derby ‘keeper did see Solomon’s shot coming on target and he made a strong save to deny him.
The Rams’ number 1 was busy. He then had to push away a powerful Rothwell strike, before making an even better stop low to his left, tipping Joel Piroe’s effort just past the post.
With just over 20 minutes to play, Farke went to the bench and made a double change. Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph entered, replacing Solomon and Aaronson.
Illan Meslier was called into action for the first time in the game with 10 minutes to play. Liam Thompson found space just outside the box and tried his luck, but it was a comfortable stop for the ‘keeper.
The final moments of the match played out saw the Whites claim another big three points and add another clean sheet to make it 11 for the season.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Derby County
