Spy story becomes a horror tale for Rams at Leeds
THE build-up to this Championship clash was like a chapter from a John le Carre novel but while it had a thrilling end for hosts Leeds United, it was more of a horror story for Derby County.
They had to halt their preparations for the game on Thursday when police were called to their Moor Farm training ground following reports of a man “acting suspiciously” outside the premises.
The Rams issued a statement claiming that the individual was working for Leeds United. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted he did send a “spy” to Derby.
Rams manager Frank Lampard is unhappy about the whole situation, understandably, and the Football Association are investigating.
It was a bizarre backdrop to the contest, all very dramatic, and the drama continued on the pitch, where Derby were second-best and Leeds won 2-0.
Kemar Roofe put the home side ahead with his 14th goal of the season and Jack Harrison doubled their advantage early in the second half.
Leeds produced a “complete” performance, said Bielsa, but Derby were found wanting in many areas and the display and the defeat exposed parts of the team and their game that need improvement.
Victory stretched Leeds’ lead at the top to five points, while Derby are 11 points behind the Yorkshire side and six away from Norwich City, who are second.
The Rams remain sixth but they have now won only one of their last six in the League and it is now a year since they last won consecutive away League matches.
Derby made three changes to the team that drew with Southampton in the FA Cup. Goalkeeper Scott Carson, full-back Andre Wisdom and midfielder Mason Mount came in for Kelle Roos, Jayden Bogle and Max Bird.
Max Lowe kept his place at left back but Harry Wilson missed a second game with a hip injury.
There was a whirlwind start when the referee awarded Leeds a penalty only 35 seconds in after Wisdom, caught out defensively, bundled over Ezgjan Alioski. However, the linesman’s flag was up for offside and the referee gave Derby a free kick following consultation with his assistant.
It looked to be a let off for Derby but they remained under the cosh in the opening minutes and Leeds captain Liam Cooper, back in the side after injury, lifted th ball over from close range after he connected with a Pablo Hernandez corner.
Lampard had spoken of the importance of handling what can be a white-hot atmosphere at Elland Road. “We have to enjoy it, try to negate it, try to change it,” he said.
They did not do a very good job of that in the opening 20 minutes.
They looked edgy and uncertain and Leeds’ fast start had the home support right behind them.
Those Leeds fans were celebrating after 20 minutes when the goal that had been coming arrived.
Carson elected to punch away a corner when he could have caught it and this meant Leeds remained in possession. Jack Clarke whipped a low cross towards the near post, where Roofe sensed the opportunity. His run was clever and his finish, high past Carson at his near post, was classy.
Leeds’ power and purpose, coupled with their confidence, had Derby on the back foot. The Rams needed to get a foot on the ball, not easy with the game going against them, but this is when players have to stand up.
There was a half chance for Clarke before a drive from Adam Forshaw flashed narrowly wide of Carson’s right-hand post as Leeds threatened a second goal.
Leeds had 68% possession in the first half, while Derby failed to register an effort on target.
hey could have no complaint about the score at half-time and a rare plus point from the opening 45 minutes was that they trailed by only one.
Derby made a change at the break. Striker David Nugent came on for Wisdom, who had struggled from the opening minutes, and Duane Holmes went to right-back.
But the Rams had no time to readjust because they fell two down only two minutes into the second half.
Clarke worked his way to the byeline and his cross was tipped from under his bar by Carson. The ball
dropped to Alioski at the back post and he stabbed it towards goal, where Harrison applied the finishing touch.
There was a half chance for Derby a minute after they conceded. Bailey Peacock-Farrell inexplicably raced way out of his area as Nugent chased down Lowe’s pass out of defence but the Rams player could only prod the ball against the Leeds keeper and out of play.
But Leeds continued to boss the game and 18-year-old Clarke gave Derby a torrid time on his raids down the right.
Roofe was inches away from connecting with a fizzing low centre after one of these.
Derby had won five and drawn two of their previous nine League visits to Leeds and they needed something special to turn this one around going into the final 10 minutes.
Clarke was given a standing ovation when substituted, deservedly so, and Leeds had recorded the double over Derby, having beaten them 4-1 at Pride Park Stadium in August.