Report: Leeds United 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday — Leedsunited.com 19/1/25

Leeds United secured an important three points in the Sky Bet Championship courtesy of three top quality goals against Sheffield Wednesday, in a Sunday lunchtime kick-off.

It was a third straight Yorkshire encounter for the Whites, after facing Hull City and Harrogate Town in a row over the last two weeks, meaning another big atmosphere inside Elland Road awaited the teams at kick-off.

Daniel Farke’s side were instantly onto the front foot in the game and went into the lead to the delight of the home crowd, after just three minutes!

Sam Byram played a defence splitting ball through the middle of the visitors, Brenden Aaronson raced forward and caused James Beadle to fumble the ball forwards, Manor Solomon collected it, then rounded the Owls ‘keeper and smashed his side ahead!

Danny Rohl’s side did look to respond quickly though and had a chance from a set-play. The in-swinging corner fell kindly for Josh Windass, but when he struck at goal, Ao Tanaka was perfectly positioned to block and clear the danger.

The Owls broke the Leeds backline again as the game approached the 20-minute mark, but alert to the danger and producing a superbly timed challenge in the box on Windass was Ethan Ampadu, to stop a clear one-on-one opportunity for the visitors.

Both teams exchanged attacks regularly. Sam Byram and Dan James had caused problems on each wing and around the box, whereas for Wednesday, Yan Valery was the next to venture forward and go close by smashing into the side netting.

Approaching the break and it was Leeds who came closest to extending the advantage. Both times, as lively as ever, it was James tricking his way into the box and forcing Beadle into two good saves to tip the ball around the post.

In what had been an opening 45 minutes with chances at both ends, the whistle sounded and sent the Whites back into the dressing room with a one-goal lead.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Back out at Elland Road in this Yorkshire derby, both teams continued to push forward with attacking intent. Beadle was forced into early action, denying Joe Rothwell’s deflected shot, then tipping another James effort around the post.

The Owls were still looking dangerous too and going in search of a leveller. Having caused problems in the first half for his side, Djeidi Gassama pushed forward and shot low on target, forcing Illan Meslier into a strong diving save.

With 20 minutes to play, Farke made a double change. Joel Piroe and Rothwell had worked hard and were replaced by Ilia Gruev and Mateo Joseph for the remainder of the match.

Both substitutes were instantly into the action. Joseph went on a forward run and was brought down by the Wednesday defence, allowing Gruev to step up and take the free-kick, which he curled just over the bar.

The minutes were ticking down but the atmosphere continued to go up inside Elland Road. Farke went to his bench again for another double switch, this time Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto entered, coming on for Solomon and James in a straight swap on the wings.

Not long after coming on and in what had been a hard-fought encounter, Ramazani had an instant impact by netting the second goal, celebrating in style with a backflip!

The winger pushed forward at pace and created space around the edge of the visiting penalty area, he shot powerfully left-footed, finding the bottom corner and sealing the points!

There was still time to put further gloss to the scoreline though and Farke’s side went looking for it, and did so, adding a third in stoppage time!

From a corner, it was Ramazani again at the edge of the box and his shot was goalbound itself, but Tanaka showed superb creativity to flick it into the back of the net with a back heel, to make it three!

The whistle did then sound shortly after and confirmed a big three points, sending the Whites back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday