Report: Leeds United 2-0 Sheffield United Leeds United

Sky Bet 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 Road

Attendance: 36,695

Referee: Lewis Smith

Booked: Firpo (Leeds) Souza, Arblaster (Sheffield United)

Leeds United claimed the bragging rights with a superb Yorkshire derby victory over high-flying Sheffield United, with second-half strikes from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph sealing the three points in style!

Ahead of the fixture, Elland Road came together in a poignant moment to remember former Blades player George Baldock, with club captains Ethan Ampadu and Jack Robinson laying flowers in front of the travelling supporters before everybody joined as one to show their respects.

An even start from both sides under the lights, the visitors had the first venture forward as a hopeful ball from deep was flicked on well by Keiffer Moore looking for the run of Callum O’Hare in behind the Whites’ backline, but great positioning from Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo averted the danger as Illan Meslier collected.

Daniel Farke’s side began to grow into proceedings, with midfield duo Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka in particular seeing a lot of the ball. The Japanese international flicked an intelligent pass out to Willy Gnonto on the right, with the Italian driving at the heart of the Blades’ defence and crossing for Joel Piroe.

Harry Souttar was well placed to head clear initially, but great tenacity from Jayden Bogle saw the former Sheffield United man win the ball inside the penalty area, hacking a low cross into the danger zone which the visitors’ defence bundled behind.

Gnonto was again involved moments later, combining superbly with Firpo, with the Dominican Republic full-back’s cross again desperately hooked clear by a red shirt.

The Whites came forward once more, with a threaded pass picking out Largie Ramazani inside the area. From an incredibly narrow angle however, and with Michael Cooper scampering out of his goal, the winger saw his effort crash against the outside of the post.

Leeds were dominating and Ramazani went close as United attacked again, initially found by Brenden Aaronson before forcing Davies into a fine fingertip save to deny his long range effort.

Davies again was called into action once more, gratefully clutching Ramazani’s dangerous low cross as Gnonto lurked at the back post, after the Belgian initially weaved his way past three Blades defenders on the Leeds right.

The one-way traffic continued, with Aaronson the next to be involved in the play, latching onto a loose pass out from the back by Chris Wilder’s side and seeing a first-time effort deflect behind for a corner.

It was Moore’s turn to surrender possession next for the Bramall Lane outfit inside his own half, collected well by Gnonto who drove into the area, ultimately seeing his shot deflect kindly into the hands of a busy Cooper.

The clearest sight of goal came on the stroke of half time when the onrushing Aaronson met Firpo’s inviting delivery, but the American midfielder was unable to guide his volley on target.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Sheffield United

Unchanged at the break, the start of the second half followed suit, with Leeds immediately on the front foot and in the ascendency.

Firpo crossed from the left which wasn’t dealt with by Souttar and cannoned off Gnonto, setting up invitingly for Aaronson, who saw his strike sail over the bar.

A triple change on the hour mark for the visitors seemed to inject life into the Blades momentarily, with Harrison Burrows racing onto a loose pass and linking up well with Moore, before great positioning from Rodon saw the Welshman block the wing-back’s shot.

Rodon was again crucially involved for the hosts with another important intervention, jumping in the way to deny Ollie Arblaster’s well struck effort from the edge of the area.

That timely reminder of Sheffield United’s danger inspired Leeds, who deservedly took the lead with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining!

One from the training ground, Rothwell’s low corner was met by Struijk who had found space six yards out to rifle home into the top corner.

Keen to extend their lead, the impressive Ramazani then slid a fine through ball in behind for substitute Dan James to race onto inside the area, but good covering from Anel Ahmedhodzic averted the danger.

Farke’s side weren’t done there however, putting the Yorkshire derby to bed in emphatic fashion when substitute Mateo Joseph’s run was expertly picked out by Piroe and, despite stumbling, the young forward showed great composure to fire past Cooper and double the lead as the clock ticked 90!

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Sheffield United