Boo boys silenced and broadcaster serenaded in Leeds United off-camera moments at Derby County — YEP 30/12/24
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Sunday evening’s
win at Derby County.
Leeds United ended 2024 on a high with a late but deserved
winner at Derby County on a day when boo boys were silenced.
The Whites went unbeaten in December, dropping only two
points from a possible 18 with that draw at Preston North End. Derby at Pride
Park represented a difficult test but Leeds made them look dreadfully poor for
the vast majority of the contest before winning it with Brenden Aaronson's goal
11 minutes from time. Here's the YEP take on Sunday evening’s 1-0 success.
Good day
Jayden Bogle
Booooo! It was still panto season in Derby as the home fans
let Bogle know they had not forgotten his decision to leave Pride Park. Or
perhaps they were chanting 'Booooogle.' Either way the right-back put in a
second excellent performance in quick succession and looked like he relished
every second of it. Leeds' right flank looks potent going forward this season
and Bogle's movement and use of the ball has become a big part of that.
Brenden Aaronson
The misses are so much easier to forgive when he scores a
goal like that. For all the complaints and criticism of Aaronson's composure in
the final third, he now has seven goals to his name before the turn of the
year. That's one more than Georginio Rutter got last season across the 46
Championship games and the Frenchman spent a good chunk of that time playing as
a striker. A few more assists wouldn't go amiss from Aaronson but his knack of
getting in good positions is paying off.
Daniel Farke
The response to criticism of away performances has been
emphatic. Yes, Stoke City were poor. Yes, Leeds are the haves and Derby County
the have nots. But both presented tricky away days and potential banana skins
and Leeds picked up six points without conceding a goal. Hitting the 51 point
mark prior to January is an achievement worthy of recognition and Farke has
Leeds right where he wants them going into the second half of the campaign.
Bad day
Mateo Joseph
He was bright when he came on against Stoke City and there
were a couple of moments of promise against Derby County but the wait for a
goal or an assist goes on. It's 14 appearances since he last hit the net in the
Championship and 18 since he contributed an assist. Granted many of those were
substitute cameos in difficult circumstances but his confidence could do with a
boost right now.
Off-camera
Karl Darlow keeping his eye on the ball around halfway
during Illan Meslier's kicking warm-up and subsequently almost taking out a
pair of tiny Derby County mascots.
Ao Tanaka controlling two footballs at the same time as
Leeds' warm-up came to an end.
Ethan Ampadu screaming 'no foul, no foul' as Leeds piled the
pressure on the Derby County.
Pascal Struijk going to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing at the end of
the half to apologise for a collision that left the Derby skipper needing
treatment. Mendez-Laing responded by putting his arm around the defender for a
cuddle.
Stewards had to cuddle a man who appeared to kick off in the
direction of the away end at half-time. But as he was led out by a gang of
stewards he provoked the ire of home fans too with whatever he was yelling.
Farke trying unsuccessfully to stop Struijk from taking a
throw-in quickly so he could make a triple swap and then complaining at his
centre-half.
Bogle turning to scream in delight at the away end at the
final whistle.
Tanaka enjoying a scruffle of Willy Gnonto's hair as they
celebrated the win.
Farke sharing a fist bump with security chief Martin Sykes
and a hug with operations manager Matt Robertshaw as he came off the pitch at
full-time.
Leeds fans serenading the broadcaster with their traditional
chant as Aaronson and Byram did post-match media duties. They then serenaded
Derby stopper Zetterstrom with '1-0 it was the keeper's fault' as he applauded
those remaining in the home end. Their attempt to goad him into doing the wave
went unheeded by the beaten goalie.