Sky Wager Championship
Leeds United 2 (Struijk 69’, Joseph 90’)
Sheffield United 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Firpo (Byram 90’), Struijk (C), Rodon, Rothwell, Piroe (Bamford 10’), Aaronson (James 68’), Ramazani (Joseph 79’), Tanaka, Gnonto (Solomon 68’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Schmidt, Debayo, Crew.
Sheffield United: Cooper (GK), Arblaster (C), Souttar, Hamer (Peck 61’), Moore, O’Hare (Campbell 61’), Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Shackleton (Gilchrist 61’), Souza (Brewster 81’), Norrington-Davies (Rak-Sakyi 77’). Subs not used: Davies (GK), McCallum, Robinson, Brooks.
Venue: Elland Highway
Attendance: 36,695
Referee: Lewis Smith
Booked: Firpo (Leeds) Souza, Arblaster (Sheffield United)
Leeds United claimed the bragging rights with an excellent Yorkshire derby victory over high-flying Sheffield United, with second-half strikes from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph sealing the three factors in model!
Forward of the fixture, Elland Highway got here collectively in a poignant second to recollect former Blades participant George Baldock, with membership captains Ethan Ampadu and Jack Robinson laying flowers in entrance of the travelling supporters earlier than all people joined as one to point out their respects.
A good begin from each side underneath the lights, the guests had the primary enterprise ahead as a hopeful ball from deep was flicked on properly by Keiffer Moore in search of the run of Callum O’Hare in behind the Whites’ backline, however nice positioning from Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo averted the hazard as Illan Meslier collected.
Daniel Farke’s aspect started to develop into proceedings, with midfield duo Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka specifically seeing a number of the ball. The Japanese worldwide flicked an clever move out to Willy Gnonto on the correct, with the Italian driving on the coronary heart of the Blades’ defence and crossing for Joel Piroe.
Harry Souttar was properly positioned to go clear initially, however nice tenacity from Jayden Bogle noticed the previous Sheffield United man win the ball contained in the penalty space, hacking a low cross into the hazard zone which the guests’ defence bundled behind.
Gnonto was once more concerned moments later, combining beautifully with Firpo, with the Dominican Republic full-back’s cross once more desperately hooked clear by a purple shirt.
The Whites got here ahead as soon as extra, with a threaded move selecting out Largie Ramazani inside the realm. From an extremely slender angle nonetheless, and with Michael Cooper scampering out of his purpose, the winger noticed his effort crash towards the skin of the publish.
Leeds have been dominating and Ramazani went shut as United attacked once more, initially discovered by Brenden Aaronson earlier than forcing Davies right into a advantageous fingertip save to disclaim his lengthy vary effort.
Davies once more was known as into motion as soon as extra, gratefully clutching Ramazani’s harmful low cross as Gnonto lurked on the again publish, after the Belgian initially weaved his well beyond three Blades defenders on the Leeds proper.
The one-way site visitors continued, with Aaronson the following to be concerned within the play, latching onto a free move out from the again by Chris Wilder’s aspect and seeing a first-time effort deflect behind for a nook.
It was Moore’s flip to give up possession subsequent for the Bramall Lane outfit inside his personal half, collected properly by Gnonto who drove into the realm, in the end seeing his shot deflect kindly into the palms of a busy Cooper.
The clearest sight of purpose got here on the stroke of half time when the onrushing Aaronson met Firpo’s inviting supply, however the American midfielder was unable to information his volley heading in the right direction.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Sheffield United
Unchanged on the break, the beginning of the second half adopted go well with, with Leeds instantly on the entrance foot and within the ascendency.
Firpo crossed from the left which wasn’t handled by Souttar and cannoned off Gnonto, establishing invitingly for Aaronson, who noticed his strike sail over the bar.
A triple change on the hour mark for the guests appeared to inject life into the Blades momentarily, with Harrison Burrows racing onto a free move and linking up properly with Moore, earlier than nice positioning from Rodon noticed the Welshman block the wing-back’s shot.
Rodon was once more crucially concerned for the hosts with one other essential intervention, leaping in the way in which to disclaim Ollie Arblaster’s properly struck effort from the sting of the realm.
That well timed reminder of Sheffield United’s hazard impressed Leeds, who deservedly took the lead with simply over 20 minutes of regular time remaining!
One from the coaching floor, Rothwell’s low nook was met by Struijk who had discovered house six yards out to rifle house into the highest nook.
Eager to increase their lead, the spectacular Ramazani then slid a advantageous by way of ball in behind for substitute Dan James to race onto inside the realm, however good masking from Anel Ahmedhodzic averted the hazard.
Farke’s aspect weren’t finished there nonetheless, placing the Yorkshire derby to mattress in emphatic vogue when substitute Mateo Joseph’s run was expertly picked out by Piroe and, regardless of stumbling, the younger ahead confirmed nice composure to fireplace previous Cooper and double the lead because the clock ticked 90!
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Sheffield United