Joe Rodon and Max Wöber scored their maiden goals for Leeds, aiding Daniel Farke's team to the summit of the Championship, ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference. With Illan Meslier, Farke's goalkeeper, barely tested and seemingly at risk of hypothermia by the end, it's likely that Tuesday's clash with promotion rivals, Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough, will pose a tougher challenge. Nonetheless, Leeds demonstrated enough to suggest they should not be underestimated.
The fierce wind and driving rain occasionally disrupted Leeds' final passes. Derby's five-man defense and low block made it difficult for Farke's players to convert prolonged possession into tangible advantages. Set pieces initially offered hope for the home crowd, but Rodon missed a header, leaving him frustrated. However, he soon redeemed himself with a powerful header past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Joe Rothwell's corner.
Moments earlier, Zetterstrom had managed to push away Brendan Aaranson's low shot, but now his team was struggling to keep up. Leeds' smart pressing and positioning often forced Derby into optimistic long balls, ensuring Meslier had a quiet afternoon. Just before halftime, Zetterstrom was beaten again by Wöber, who capitalized on Dan James's missed cross from the impressive Aaronson.
Wöber, who started on the bench but replaced the injured Junior Firpo, scored his first goal for Leeds. Elland Road anticipated a second-half fightback from the visitors, but Derby seemed more focused on damage limitation, defending deeply and wasting rare attacks. Zetterstrom made decent saves from James's volley and Ao Tanaka's shot, the latter proving to be a shrewd summer signing from Fortuna Düsseldorf.
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