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It's advantage Leeds United in the play-off semi-final, after the Whites secured a 1-0 win over Frank Lampard's Derby County.
Kemar Roofe's strike on 55 minutes proved enough for the visitors to take a goal lead into the second leg at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Derby thought they had been given a penalty midway through the second half after the referee pointed to the spot, after Jack Harrison brought down Jayden Bogle in the box. The decision however was overturned by the linesman.
Despite the scare, Leeds held on to win 1-0 to ensure a happy trip back to West Yorkshire.
Marcelo Bielsa named just one change to the Leeds side that started in their 3-2 defeat away at Ipswich Town the previous week, with Berardi stepping in at centre-back to replace the injured Pontus Jansson.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard's Derby County were without striker Martyn Waghorn, who missed the game with an Achilles' injury.
It was a fairly even start to the game, but full-back Stuart Dallas came close on 12 minutes for Leeds, as his curling effort from the left flew whiskers over the bar.
The visitors were hit with a blow midway through the first half though, as 19-year-old Jamie Shackleton replaced midfielder Adam Forshaw after he limped off the field of play.
Despite losing Forshaw, adding to Leeds' never ending injury list, the Whites eventually took control of the game, with Derby finding it hard to get out of their own half.
But, after a half of little chances, it was 0-0 at the break.
Leeds United found themselves ahead ten minutes into the second half. After good play down the left, winger Jack Harrison delivered a delicious cross into the box, finding striker Kemar Roofe who's first time shot thundered past Roos in the Derby goal.
The visitors almost doubled their lead on after 62 minutes, as Shackleton broke through on the right hand side, but Leeds United's Player Of The Year Pablo Hernandez failed to connect with Shackleton's cross.
Derby brought on Jack Marriott and Mason Bennett off the bench to try and not let the tie run away from them, and the home side eventually grew into the game and took control.
Frank Lampard's side thought they had been given a golden opportunity to level the tie 15 minutes from time when Harrison and Bogle fell to the floor in the box. Referee Craig Pawson initially pointed to the spot, but the linesman said no penalty.
That ultimately was the only scare for Bielsa's side in the game, and it proved to be a delightful afternoon for Leeds United as they held on to win 1-0.
At the halfway point in the tie, it's advantage Leeds.
Match information
Derby County v Leeds United
Sky Bet Championship, play-off semi-final first leg
5:15pm Saturday 11th May
Pride Park
Derby County (4-1-4-1): Roos, Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Malone, Johnson, Wilson, Holmes (Bennett 70'), Mount, Lawrence (Huddlestone 86'), Nugent (Marriott 64').
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper (C), Dallas, Phillips, Hernandez, Forshaw (Shackleton 24'), Klich, Harrison, Roofe (Clarke 81').
Referee: Craig Pawson
Opmerkingen