Leeds’ win in Yorkshire derby sees them move into the top two

Leeds United moved into the top two of the Championship after beating Sheffield United 2-0 in the Yorkshire derby.

The result sees Leeds leapfrog Sheffield United on goal difference and sends a statement out to the rest of the division.

A Pascal Struijk goal from a corner (yes you read that right!) and a late goal from substitute Mateo Joseph were enough to secure all three points at Elland Road as the Whites controlled proceedings for the majority of the game with Illan Meslier not facing a single shot on target from the visitors.

First half: Back and forth start, then Leeds took control

Sheffield United’s gameplan was evident in the opening stages of the match. Get the ball into the feet of Kieffer Moore and build from there.

This approach was successful for the Blades to begin with as Moore was winning his duels against Struijk and Joe Rodon, but this threat soon fizzled out.

After this Leeds began to grow into the game with Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto drifting inside into pockets of space and allowing Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo to overlap and provide the width.

Ramazani had Leeds’ first significant chance of the game in the 25th minute when Joe Rothwell picked up the ball and drove at the Sheffield United defence before sliding it into Ramazani's path.

Ramazani was able to get a shot off, but it was from a tight angle and the ball struck the post and went behind for a goal kick.

Ramazani’s influence continued to grow as he had another chance just one minute later. Brendan Aaronson’s weight of pass allowed Ramazani to draw Anel Ahmedhodzic in before knocking the ball around him and unleashing a low strike from the edge of the box that forced Michael Cooper into making a good save for the visitors.

It was then Aaronson’s turn to have a pair of chances late in the first half that he was unable to convert.

The first chance came in the 40th minute when Cooper’s scuffed clearance went only as far as Firpo.

Firpo then played the ball to Aaronson who had an empty goal to aim at but the American dragged his shot towards the near post and Cooper was able to scramble back and make the save.

Aaronson’s next chance came in added time but he was unable to direct his side-footed volley on target after being picked out well by the cross of Firpo and frustratingly for Leeds, they went into half-time level.

Second half: Two goals and a well-deserved three points

Leeds continued to look the more likely of the two teams to score in the early stages of the second half and perhaps should’ve taken the lead in the 50th minute when Aaronson missed yet another chance.

Joel Piroe did well to drop deep and spread the ball out wide to Firpo who took a touch to get the ball out of his feet before firing another cross into the box.

This time the cross bounced off the chest of Ramazani into the path of Aaronson, but he snatched at the chance and his effort went well over.

One of the few Sheffield United chances fell to Oliver Arblaster in the 65th minute but his half-volley from the edge of the box was blocked well by Rodon.

Leeds then took the lead just four minutes later when Struijk ended the club’s long wait for a goal directly from a corner.

Rothwell’s ball initially looked a poor one that lacked any height, but it was fizzed into the near post and Struijk was able to arch his run to meet the ball and sweep his left-footed effort into the top corner to give the Whites a well-deserved lead.

The Blades then made changes and opened up in an attempt to find their way back into the game but substitutes Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Rhian Brewster were unable to have any real influence on the game.

Leeds eventually sealed the deal when Piroe, who was now operating in the number ten role, carried the ball forward before delivering a pinpoint pass to substitute Mateo Joseph.

Joseph did well to hold off Sydie Peck and place his shot calmy in at the near post to give Leeds their biggest win of the season so far.

Key takeaways: Tanaka and Rothwell superb

After initially looking very similar at points to the frustrating game against Burnley earlier this season, Leeds were able to find a breakthrough and beat a side that will likely push them all the way for promotion this season.

For all the free agent talks during the week, tonight was a reminder that Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell is a midfield partnership that can be relied on for Leeds moving forward with both players being the best performers on the pitch.

Most teams at this level would kill for this midfield partnership as shown tonight and to think they both appeared to be just bench options for Daniel Farke earlier this season is unimaginable now.

Whilst depth is most certainly needed in this area, it’s hard to see either Rothwell or Tanaka losing their starting positions if they play like they did tonight again moving forward.