Leeds United produced a good performance to win 1-0 at Pride Park against Derby County.
FULL TIME: #LUFC head into the second leg at Elland Road with a 1-0 advantage after Kemar Roofe's 55th-minute goal
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 11, 2019
Leeds were the better side in the first half but neither side was able to work the goalkeeper.
Kemar Roofe gave Leeds the lead with a calm right foot finish following excellent build up from Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas, Harrison’s cross was particularly impressive.
A measure of just how good Leeds were today was not allowing Derby a single shot on-target during the whole game. Magnificent perfomance, dug deep & were first to every ball. Proper fighting spirit in this side. Dallas, Ayling, Shackleton, Phillips and Harrison all superb. #LUFC
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) May 11, 2019
Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.
STARTING LINE-UP
Kiko Casilla - One early take from a Tom Lawrence cross and came off his line well to claim a Duane Holmes through ball. Excellent take from a Lawrence free-kick. Solid the entire way through the match. Not tested by any shots though. 7/10
75': The home side have upped the tempo since falling behind and are now taking the game to Leeds more. Still yet to really test Kiko Casilla in the Leeds goal however. 0-1 #DCFC #LUFC
— Liam Kent Football (@LiamKFootball) May 11, 2019
Luke Ayling - First half was an option down the right at all times. Went on a great run where he beat two players but couldn’t find a Leeds player with his pull-back. Probably Leeds’ best performer in the first half. Second half was more of the same, a really good performance. 8/10
Thought Ayling was unreal aswell. #Lufc
— Rolo (@Rollo_92) May 11, 2019
Gaetano Berardi - In for the injured Pontus Jansson. Made a good block early on to deny David Nugent when he was played in behind the Leeds defence. Excellent tackling all through the first half as well. Second half carried on and ended up winning a hell of a lot of aerial duels considering his height. 8/10
#Berardi is awesome today! #warrior #lufc
— Yan Sulikowski (@YanSulikowski) May 11, 2019
Liam Cooper - Solid first half but not a great deal to say. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul on Harry Wilson. Really good alongside Berardi but would give Berardi the edge on the day. 7.5/10
Solid away performance. Liam Cooper a rock at the back, Casilla is brilliant and a very well worked team goal. All Leeds aren’t we @LUFC #MOT
— James Hitchcock (@Hitch_92) May 11, 2019
Stuart Dallas - Got caught too far forward early on but also was able to put in a good early cross. Had a good effort over from 25 yards from Mateusz Klich’s lay-off. Was continuously a threat for the opening 30mins. Good build up play between him and Dallas in build up to the opening goal, he was fouled but the referee played a good advantage. Some excellent far post defending to shepherd the ball away from Jayden Bogle under real pressure. Defended like a natural fullback in the second half. 7.5/10
Dallas and Harrison have had their fair share of criticism this season but both put in massive performances today. Also, after Ipswich, Roofe needed that. Superb finish and cracking performance. Half way to Wembley, 90 to go #lufc #mot
— Jack Douglas (@JDouglasSport) May 11, 2019
Kalvin Phillips - Set pieces caused issues for Derby early on. Seemed to always be in the right place to tidy up. Well placed defensively on Derby’s crosses throughout. 7.5/10
Phillips man of the match for me #lufc #alaw #mot
— Christopher Galton (@chrisgalton) May 11, 2019
Adam Forshaw - Did fine for the 20 minutes before having to go off injured. 6/10
Considering Jansson our & then Forshaw picking up injury that is an immense performance. Shackleton superb - scared Derby to death at times. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) May 11, 2019
Pablo Hernandez - Involved in the first half without hitting his creative best. Had a big chance from a Shackleton pull back but couldn’t make contact. Picked out some really good passes. The one to get Ayling in behind in the 85th minute being particularly good. 6.5/10
Great ball from Hernandez sends Ayling away, he cuts the ball into the box but no-one is there. 0-1 on 86 mins. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 11, 2019
Mateusz Klich - Had Leeds 1st shot from distance but it was scuffed wide. Provided a great cross for Harrison early in the second half. Lucky to only get a yellow for a weak headbutt with 5mins left. Have to dock some rating for that as I would had he been sent off. 6.5/10
Very lucky and VERY stupid by Klich there........ Defo red #lufc
— Kev.I.N (@kevjohnson77) May 11, 2019
Jack Harrison - Solid enough first half. Had a good volley blocked from a Klich cross early in the second half. Wonderful assist for the opening goal, great ball for Roofe after an excellent piece of play between him and Dallas. Moved into a false 9 type of role when Roofe was removed and ran himself into the ground. Best performance for a while. 8/10
That ball from Jack Harrison was Pablo class, on a day where Pablo wasn't at his best. #lufc
— The Scratching Shed (@TSSLUFC) May 11, 2019
Kemar Roofe - Made great runs in behind which Leeds were able to find, but without gettting chances in the first half. Opened the scoring with a great finish from a fantastic Jack Harrison ball. Almost doubled the lead soon after but Kelle Roos made an excellent save. More like early season Roofe. 8/10
55' GGGGGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!! KEMAR ROOFE OPENS THE SCORING FOR #LUFC!!! COME ON!!! 0-1 pic.twitter.com/HkFc1IrcmO
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 11, 2019
SUBSTITUTES
Jamie Shackleton (for Forshaw, 23mins) - Provided good energy when introduced in the first half. Fikayo Tomori should have been sent off for a horrendous tackle on him shortly before half-time.
Should be off pure and simple. No place for that. Terrible refereeing @LUFC #DERLEE #EFLPlayOffs pic.twitter.com/IrmSrggKiX
— ScMid (@Scmiddy) May 11, 2019
Great tackle to deny Mount in the box, and made a great break immediately afterwards to get in down the right but his cross for Hernandez was inches away from being perfect. Denied from the edge of the box by a good save from Roos. May have played his way into the starting XI as he was really good. 7.5/10
Jack Clarke (for Roofe, 80mins) - Couple of nice turns but not involved enough in his 10mins to give a fair rating. N/A