Leeds United produced a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park, booking their place in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Derby Defy Expectations to Take Lead
Despite making eight changes to his starting lineup, Leeds manager Daniel Farke fielded a side brimming with Premier League quality. The visitors dominated the early exchanges, with Joël Piroe hitting the post before being awarded a penalty after Lukas Nmecha was fouled by Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström.
Piroe, seeking to impress, saw his spot-kick superbly saved by Zetterström, who dived to his right. The save ignited the home crowd, and within two minutes and thirty seconds, Derby capitalised. After a Corey Blackett-Taylor effort was blocked, the ball fell to Ben Brereton Díaz, who fired a low drive into the far corner to give the Championship side a shock lead just before half-time.
Gnonto and Tanaka Turn the Tide
Leeds emerged after the break with renewed purpose. The equaliser arrived on the hour mark when Wilfried Gnonto blasted home after a clever dummy from Piroe. The turnaround was completed in stunning fashion just five minutes later.
A flowing move ended with Zetterström parrying a Piroe shot, and Japanese international Ao Tanaka was quickest to react, turning the rebound into the net to put Leeds ahead. The goal exemplified the gulf in clinical finishing between the divisions.
Leeds Seal Progress with Late Third
Derby huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but never truly threatened to force a replay. Leeds controlled the final half-hour and put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time. Breaking rapidly from a Derby attack, James Justin applied a simple finish to a squared pass from Nmecha, sealing a 3-1 victory.
The win provides a perfect response to Leeds' dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle United last weekend. Daniel Farke's side have now lost just once in their last nine matches across all competitions and can look forward to the FA Cup fourth round draw with genuine optimism.
