Leeds United 2-0 Sheffield United: Blades completely outclassed in Yorkshire derby | OneFootball

Sheffield United were comfortably the second-best team at Elland Road on Friday night as Leeds United claimed three points with a 2-0 win, and the Blades tasted defeat for the first time.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Pascal Struijk expertly met a scuffed Joe Rothwell corner, but there was nothing scuffed about the defender’s finish which flew into the top left corner. With the Blades chasing the game the shape was stretched, and substitute Mateo Joseph exploited this by ghosting in behind the defence and firing home under Michael Cooper in the 90th minute.

It was an emotional night as the Blades paid their respects to a club legend, George Baldock, before kickoff, who sadly passed away far too soon.

Chris Wilder made multiple changes to the starting eleven to go with the changing of shape; the Blades reverted back to their 5-3-2 shape for the first time this season. Gustavo Hamer, Harrison Burrows, Jamie Shackleton and Rhys Norrington-Davies returned. Meanwhile, Alfie Gilchrist, Sam McCallum, Rhian Brewster and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi dropped to the bench.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Pascal Struijk of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Sheffield United FC at Elland Road on October 18, 2024 in Leeds, England.

Lineups

Leeds: Meslier, Bogle, Junior Firpo (Byram 90), Struijk, Rodon, Rothwell, Piroe (Bamford 90), Aaronson (Solomon 68), Ramazani (Mateo Joseph 79) Tanaka, Gnonto (James 68).

Unused: Darlow, Schmidt, Debayo, Crew.

Blades: Cooper, Arblaster, Souttar, Hamer (Peck 61), Moore, O’Hare (Campbell 61), Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Shackleton (Gilchrist 61), Souza (Brewster 81), Norrington-Davies (Rak-Sakyi 77).

Unused: A. Davies, McCallum, Robinson, Brooks.

First half

In the first ten minutes, Sheffield United began the game in positive fashion despite carving out a shot on target. Oliver Arblaster had the game’s first shot, although his effort from outside of the box was blocked. The second shot of the match also fell to the away side, after some good play around the edge of the box, Gustavo Hamer shifted the ball to get a shot away, but his effort was deflected into the path of Illan Meslier.

As the first quarter of the match ticked on, Leeds United had firmly established control of the flow of the game. They were recycling the ball at ease and piling the pressure on the Blades’ defence, and they almost found the opener when Largie Ramazani burst behind the back line to the byline and stabbed a shot into the outside of the post.

Less than a minute later, the tricky forward was causing problems again but this time an excellent stop from Michael Cooper denied him a goal.

The Sheffield United goalkeeper was quickly called into action again, this time denying Gnonto before Aaronson spooned over a decent chance before the halftime whistle.

Second half

The pattern of the game did not shift from the first half; it was Leeds bossing proceedings with the Blades struggling to get a foothold in the match.

Somewhat foolishly, Vinicius Souza picked himself up a yellow card for waving the imaginary card after winning a foul, and that now leaves him suspended for the next match.

A few minutes later, United were forced into changes when Gustavo Hamer hobbled off, being replaced by Sydie Peck. Jamie Shackleton and Callum O’Hare also made way for Alfie Gilchrist and Tyrese Campbell.

After the subs, the away side appeared to have wrestled back some momentum as Burrows and Arblaster threatened.

But moments later, a poor corner attempt from Leeds managed to evade everyone at the front post and Pascal Struijk ran onto the ball and lashed the ball into the top left corner.

With the visitors chasing a way back into the contest, the game was soon out of their reach as a sublime through ball from Joel Piroe played in Mateo Joseph who hit the back of the net in the 90th minute.