Leeds United running war of words, 'hot hand' and off-camera Derby County moments — YEP 12/1/26

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By Graham Smyth

Good day, bad day and off camera moments from Leeds United's FA Cup victory over Derby County on Sunday.

Leeds United did the professional Premier League thing at Derby County, eventually, to book an FA Cup fourth round berth.

The Whites made heavy weather of the first half at Pride Park before goals from Willy Gnonto, Ao Tanaka and James Justin put them in the hat for Monday evening's draw.

Here's the YEP take.

Good day: James Justin. The full-back has had to bide his time thanks to Jayden Bogle, but this was another impactful performance from Justin, capped with a lovely goal. Given what he's produced of late, Justin can claim to be the form man and the 'hot hand' at right-back or right wing-back going into the Fulham game, whether or not Bogle is fit to return.

Good day: Willy Gnonto. The winger wasn't perfect by any stretch but he needed that goal. It has been a frustrating season and though he's come off the bench to play a part in important moments over the last period, he hasn't looked close to breaking into the starting XI. What he did at Derby likely won't change that but it at least puts a little marker in his manager's mind that he's still capable of producing really good finishes. And having been kicked about and got into a bit of a personal battle with Lewis Travis, the goal will have felt all the sweeter.

Good day: Jaka Bijol. Thanks to Joel Piroe's lovely dummy, Bijol should get the assist for Gnonto's goal. It capped another fine, solid performance from the centre-back. After a shaky start to life at Leeds in the Premier League he has really settled in and been reliable on both sides of the ball.

Bad day: Jack Harrison. Though he was employed as a wing-back, Harrison had ample opportunity to get forward and produce end product in order to try and force his way into Farke's thoughts. Sadly for the Bielsa-era favourite he was only able to deliver one really good ball into the box. So many deliveries were over or under-hit. It was a frustrating afternoon for him.

Off-camera

A young Leeds fan with the Stars and Stripes calling Brenden Aaronson over for a photo as the team arrived at Pride Park. He and his brother got high fives and fist bumps from just about every player in the squad. Noah Okafor was apparently in the zone, however.

A middle-aged Leeds fan shouted a heartfelt 'love you Jack' as Jack Harrison walked in. He had his earphones in and didn't hear. Heartbreaking.

Alex Cairns and Richard O'Donnell having a goalkeepers union reunion on the touchline after the warm-up had finished.

Lewis Travis and Willy Gnonto having a war of words after the Derby man was pinged for a body check on the winger. On and on it went.

Sebastiaan Bornauw signalling to the bench that he had a problem and would have to come off, as the game moved into first-half injury time.

Ethan Ampadu with a comedy exaggerated running action as both he and Ben Brereton Diaz went to fetch the ball during a stoppage, with Derby a goal down in the second half.

Leeds fans demanding a wave from their squad, with various players ducking it until Okafor was thrust forward. Farke then did his with the 5,200-strong away following.

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