Leeds United hosted Derby County in the second leg of the playoff semifinals and went on to lose 4-3 on aggregate after taking a 2-0 lead. Lampard might have lost to Bielsa three times this season, but he won the most important one of the whole season.
The Rams were willing to press high up the pitch and commit body forwards in the first half hour, but that allowed Leeds United to create some dangerous chances when they were able to beat the first press. The Whites took the lead in the tie as Derby County failed to deal with Kalvin Phillips’ long free-kick which hit the post and the rebound fell kindly to the oncoming Stuart Dallas. Kiko Casilla and Liam Cooper couldn’t decide on who would deal with a harmless ball and Jack Marriott pounced just before half time to give the Rams some hope.
That hope ended up as a fairytale for Derby as they started the second half strongly and Mason Mount brought them level in the tie. Liam Cooper made a silly mistake of pulling down Bennett, and Harry Wilson scored from the spot in a quickfire start to the second half. However, Leeds roared back with a brilliantly worked goal from Dallas. The game had lost its shape and inhibition as both teams decided to go heads on with each other. The tie was played at breakneck speed in the second half, and Jack Marriott finished brilliantly in the 85th minute to give Derby the lead on aggregate.
Here is how Leeds fared in a heartbreaking night at Elland Road.
Kiko Casilla 1
Wish we were allowed to give a 0, but our editorial policy does not allow for that. An entertaining performance from the Spaniard if you are a neutral. If you are a Leeds fan, then he gave a lot of heart attacks to his side. Was at fault for the first goal and created a lot of nervous moments for his defence.
Gaetano Berardi 5
Worked hard and did a decent job for most parts of the game but lost his head a bit in the end as he was sucked into late challenges even though he was already on a yellow.
Liam Cooper 5
Will have to share the blame with Casilla for the first goal as Cooper got the ball first and he should have dealt with it in a better way. Gave away a silly penalty early on in the second half. Those two costly mistakes erased all of his good performance on the night.
Luke Ayling 6
As usual, worked hard by providing attacking outlet down the right. Skyed some decent shooting opportunities from the edge of the box.
Stuart Dallas 9
The best payer on the pitch for the Whites. His energy, run and movement was top notch. Found himself at the right place for the first goal. Finished brilliantly for the second. Defensively too he did his job.
Kalvin Phillips 6
Won a lot of 50-50 duels in midfield in the first half and was at his usual calm and composed self. Had a hard time in dealing with Mason Mount in the second half.
Mateusz Klich 6
Came close to scoring as his deflected shot hit the bar in the first half. Linked up play well and his energy was good in the middle.
Jamie Shackleton 8
A live wire in the middle of the park. Worked and pressed like a maniac and was always willing to charge forward when his side were in possession. His passing rage was also impressive.
Pablo Hernandez 4
The biggest disappointment of the night after Casilla. A lot was expected out of the Spaniard, but he wasn’t at his best as he was unable to affect the game in the final third according to his high standards.
Jack Harrison 6.5
Had a decent game down the left as he linked up play well with Dallas. Put in a shift and helped his team at the back as well.
Patrick Bamford 4
Out ran Tomori during the first few minutes of the game but that was his brightest moment on the pitch. Wasn’t able to get into the game much as Keogh outmuscled him on various occasions.
Substitutes
Izzy Brown N/A
Had a chance to be a hero late on in the game but missed the free kick from a good spot.
Jack Clarke N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
