Derby 0-1 Leeds: Winners and losers as Roofe hurts Rams again in Championship play-offs
Leeds United have control of their Championship play-off semi-final after beating Derby County 1-0 at Pride Park.
Kemar Roofe scored the only goal of a tight game 10 minutes into the second half, with Leeds giving an almost perfect defensive performance.
The return match takes place on Wednesday at Elland Road but before then read on for our key winners and losers from the first leg.
Winner: Kemar Roofe
When the play-off spots were confirmed, pitting Leeds against Derby in the semi-finals, Kemar Roofe must have been rubbing his hands. In his two previous appearances against the Rams this season, Roofe had scored three goals including a brace at Pride Park in the second game of the season. In fact, Roofe’s most recently for Leeds came against Derby.
Kemar Roofe has now scored four goals in his three games against Derby this season:
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⚽️The latest the most important one yet. pic.twitter.com/VSRmtXn6JS
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2019
Since netting in a 2-0 win over Derby at Elland Road on January 11, Roofe had gone 11 games without scoring. But, of course, that would all come to an end on Saturday evening.
In the first half, Roofe struggled against the defensive pairing of Richard Keogh and Fikayo Tomori, managing just 17 touches – the fewest of any Leeds player complete the 45 minutes. He did managed two shots, but neither troubled Kelle Roos in the Derby goal.
But just 10 minutes into the second half, Roofe had made his impact, getting onto the end of a wonderful cross from Harrison to give his side a deserved lead.
Loser: Jayden Bogle
Jayden Bogle has had a good debut Championship campaign, doing his part to help Derby secure their place in the play-offs. But against Leeds on Saturday, the teenager had a day to forget.
A lot of Leeds’ attacking play came down Bogle’s flank, with the 18-year-old allowing Stuart Dallas and Jack Harrison far too much time and space on the ball. On more than one occasion, the teenager had to be rescued by the more experienced Richard Keogh
And it was no surprise that Leeds’ opening goal came from Bogle’s side of the pitch, with Harrison sending in a beautiful cross on the counter attack – after a simple one-two had taken the full-back out of the picture.
Bogle also struggled to contribute offensively, with Harrison and Dallas combining well to limit his attacking runs and stifling any creativity.
And just when it looked like Bogle had done his part to get Derby back into the game, with Craig Pawson pointing to the spot for a believed foul from Harrison, the assistant advised otherwise. Instead, Bogle was penalised and a free-kick given to Leeds.
Winner: Kalvin Phillips
After a positive opening 10 minutes for Derby in which Frank Lampard’s men looked more likely to open the scoring, Leeds took control. And Kalvin Phillips needs to take a lot of the plaudits for that.
Sitting just in front of the Leeds defence, Phillips was the perfect shield to stop Derby’s movement through the middle of the pitch.
Not looking to hide his role in being the disruptor, the 23-year-old made four clearances on Saturday afternoon, more than any other Leeds player.
And his performance certainly caught the eye of Premier League fans watching on, with some urging their clubs to ensure the midfielder is in the top flight next season.
https://twitter.com/jfcpfc/status/1127255569658724353
Kalvin Phillips is so underrated. Reads the game brilliantly and dominates the game.
— Khaleem Azam ⚒🫧🏴 (@AzamWHUFC) May 11, 2019
Kalvin Phillips is quality what a player
— Higgy (@JordanHibbert01) May 11, 2019
Would take Kalvin Phillips in a heartbeat at #sufc
— Jon Davies (@1JonDavies1988) May 11, 2019
Loser: Harry Wilson
Aside from short bursts spread across the 90 minutes, Derby left a lot to be desired in attack and Harry Wilson should take some blame for it.
The Liverpool loanee has been an integral part of Lampard’s side this season, scoring 15 goals from midfield in 40 Championship appearances prior to the play-offs.
But that influence was missing against Leeds as Wilson was kept quiet for large spells by Dallas and Harrison – a partnership Derby will not be looking forward to facing again on Wednesday.
Wilson created just one chance and had only 36 touches of the ball – fewer than any other player to start the game for Derby.
His game was summed up by a free-kick in Wilson territory, which he sent straight into the wall – Wilson’s only shot on goal in the match.
Winner: Luke Ayling
Leeds were excellent across all positions in taking control of this Championship play-off semi-final but right-back Luke Ayling stood higher than the rest.
With Derby forced to push their play out wide by the presence of Phillips in midfield, it was up to Leeds’ full-backs to complete the task.
And Ayling was excellent up against Tom Lawrence and Scott Malone, ensuring Derby did not have any luck. The 27-year-old was a one-man wall at times, winning four of his five attempted tackles and chipping in with two clearances.
But he also did his bit going forward, looking to test the Derby left flank, completing three take-ons – more than any other player.
Derby will need to find a way to get past Ayling on Wednesday if they are to have any hopes of reaching the play-off final.
Loser: Mason Mount
Like Wilson, Mason Mount had been excellent for Derby in the regular season, with their play-off push coinciding with the Chelsea loanee’s return from injury.
But, again like Wilson, Mount was poor on Saturday as Leeds packed the midfield, cutting any creative impact the 20-year-old could have.
The Englishman created just one chance in 90 minutes and completed 24 passes – the same amount as Kelle Roos in the Derby goal.
His delivery from set pieces, usually pinpoint, was poor and wasted many opportunities for Derby to aerially test the Leeds defence.
And in injury time, Mount wasted a chance for one last Derby push, instead trying to beat Kiko Casilla from range with the Leeds goalkeeper off his line. But his effort was weak and off target.
