Derby 3-1 Leeds

Derby headed into the game with Leeds looking to put last weeks loss at Leicester behind them. Having beaten Leeds in their previous seven meetings many were wondering if they could keep this run going.

Nigel Clough named the same side from the Leicester game with Bryson, Roberts and Ward still missing due to injury.

The first half was completely dominated by the Rams. Leeds hardly ever seeing the ball in the Derby half of the field.

The Rams persistence paid off in the fifteenth minute when Will Hughes passed to Sammon in the box who slotted the ball past Kenny.

Derby continued attacking for the rest of the first half, however they were unable to add to their lead. It was the visitors who scored on the stroke of half time against the run of play when former Ram Paul Green guided the ball into the net from close range.

One can only imagine what words of encouragement Leeds manager Neil Warnock had for his players at half time, but when the game restarted, they were certainly a different proposition.

Leeds bombarded the Derby half of the pitch for fifteen minutes but were frustrated by The Rams who managed to see off every attempt. One of those saw a combined effort by both Legzdins and Jacobs clearing the ball off the line.

After sixty five minutes Derby restored their lead when Richard Keogh's shot from the edge of the box was diverted into the net by Jake Buxton.

Leeds did look more dangerous when Diouf was introduced and another effort was cleared off the line, this time by Keogh.

The Rams did manage to hold on and in the dying seconds of the game, substitute Ben Davies made the game safe with a great curling shot from the edge of the penalty area.

A very good game and the Rams made it eight wins on the trot against a Leeds side that had recently seen a good run of form. Derby now need to perform as well on the road and then they can make themselves serious contenders for the play-offs.


Derby County: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton (O’Brien 79), O’Connor; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Freeman 90), Jacobs; Robinson (Davies 82), Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding,Tyson, Doyle, Bennett.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Tate, Byram; Green, Tonge, Norris (White 80), Hall (Varney 68); Becchio, McCormack (Diouf 74).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown,Pearce, Brown, Gray.

Attendance: 25,034 (3,453 Visiting Supporters).

Man of the Match - Will Hughes, superb performance dominating mid-field from the youngster.