Daniel Farke pays Derby County compliment after Leeds United score 'goal of the season'
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was full of praise for his team's display after they secured a 1-0 win at Derby County, ensuring they finished 2024 at the top of the Championship. The visitors were in control throughout the match but faced a formidable opponent in home goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who made four crucial saves to keep Leeds at bay.
However, Leeds' persistence paid off with a beautifully crafted goal that saw Joel Piroe set up Brenden Aaronson for a close-range finish. This victory, coupled with Sheffield United's draw with West Brom, allowed Leeds to move two points clear at the top.
Farke expressed his satisfaction, saying: "Fully deserved win in a tough away place. We missed too many clear-cut chances to win such a difficult away game. Normally you can’t miss so many chances to win points in such a difficult place but for me we scored the goal of the season.
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"I love this goal, on such a difficult pitch, perfect team move. Perfect team performance, perfect away performance. These nights are the best. Tight win, late goal, clean sheet and is perfect for the mood and spirit."
Despite the current success, Farke remained cautious about the rest of the season: "To be honest it isn’t that important where you are after 24 games. You need to be right there where you want to be after 46 games.
"It was 90 points last season but of course heartbreak finish at Wembley then we had to rebuild again. We lost many of our key players. ".
Derby boss Paul Warne expressed his pride in the team’s performance, saying: "I was really proud of the effort the lads put in. The first 10 minutes we showed them too much respect and looked like it would be a long evening but after that we settled in OK.
"It just looked like we were beginning to fatigue in certain areas and they’re bringing on players of a certain ilk and we then make changes to try get the elusive goal but it fell to them. It looked like a well worked goal at the time.
"It felt like it could be a 0-0 where we get one from a set-piece, it didn’t look like we would score from open play if I’m honest. But two really tough home games in three days, I’m really pleased with the group."
