Derby County vs Leeds United. Sky Bet Championship.
Pride Park StadiumAttendance32,240.
Derby County 0-1 Leeds United: Brenden Aaronson scores late winner at end of wonderful move to send side top of Championship
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Leeds United at Pride Park on Sunday; Brenden Aaronson scores late winner to cap wonderful team goal; Leeds two points clear of second-placed Sheffield United at top of Championship
Sunday 29 December 2024 21:10, UK
Daniel Farke hailed Brenden Aaronson's late winner as the "goal of the season" after he slotted home at the end of a stunning move to send Leeds top of the Championship with a 1-0 victory at Derby County.
The visitors had been frustrated by a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom until they put together their best attack of the match, moving the ball quickly around the edge of the box to set up Aaronson, who scored to move Leeds two points clear of second-placed Sheffield United.
"Fully deserved win in a tough away place," said Leeds boss Farke. "We missed too many clear-cut chances to win such a difficult away game. Normally you can't miss so many chances to win points in such a difficult place but we scored the goal of the season.
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"I love this goal, on such a difficult pitch, perfect team move. Perfect team performance, perfect away performance. These nights are the best. Tight win, late goal and clean sheet is perfect for the mood and spirit."
Aaronson had been denied from close range early in the second half by a brilliant, sprawling save from Zetterstrom and, later, substitute Dan James was kept out when one-on-one.
Leeds had dominated the first half although had only one shot on target while Derby were unable to have a single attempt. The hosts grew into the match after half-time forcing Illan Meslier to parry from Curtis Nelson's header at a corner.
Ethan Ampadu glanced wide from a Leeds corner but soon they finally unpicked the Derby defence. Sam Byram played the ball into Manor Soloman, who swivelled to pick out Joel Piroe and his one-touch pass set Aaronson through to finish.
Farke: Points total is an amazing effort
Leeds' Daniel Farke:
To be honest it isn't that important where you are after 24 games. You need to be right there where you want to be after 46 games.
"It was 90 points last season but of course heartbreak finish at Wembley then we had to rebuild again. We lost many of our key players.
"We had to rebuild in the summer perhaps more than we wanted. To show consistency, it is amazing. Fifty-one points is an amazing effort, we are pretty happy but in the new year we have to keep going."
Warne: We didn't look like scoring from open play
Derby's Paul Warne:
"I was really proud of the effort the lads put in. The first 10 minutes we showed them too much respect and looked like it would be a long evening but after that we settled in ok.
"It just looked like we were beginning to fatigue in certain areas and they're bringing on players of a certain ilk and we then make changes to try get the elusive goal but it fell to them. It looked like a well-worked goal at the time.
"It felt like it could be a 0-0 where we get one from a set-piece, it didn't look like we would score from open play if I'm honest. But two really tough home games in three days, I'm really pleased with the group."