A goal of real quality from Brenden Aaronson put Leeds United back at the top of the Championship as they edged past Derby County with a 1-0 win at Pride Park.

Leeds raced out of the blocks at Pride Park and immediately found a rhythm that had Derby dancing to their beat. Wilfried Gnonto fired a cross into the box that was parried by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom which then allowed Kenzo Goudmijn to clear up the danger on the rebound.

The visitors kept driving at goal in their droves with Curtis Nelson making a superb challenge at the near post as Leeds sniffed a chance again. Ethan Ampadu lashed a shot over the bar from distance before Zetterstrom denied Mateo Joseph at the expense of a corner.

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Kayden Jackson did a see a cross-shot flash across goal in what was Derby's best effort of the opening 45 minutes. After the break, Leeds came out with purpose again with Zetterstrom making an outstanding save to deny Aaronson when it looked certain he would score. Derby could barely regain their senses from that chance before Joseph was skipping through on goal only to lash wildly over the bar.

In return, Nat Phillips headed a Goudmijn free-kick over the bar as Derby attempted to find chinks in Leeds' armour. Curtis Nelson then saw a chance from a corner palmed away by Illan Meslier but the breakthrough Leeds craved arrived 12 minutes from time when Brenden Aaronson skipped through following a smart exchange of passes that allowed him to beat Zetterstrom and seal the points.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: Made a good stop in the first half as Leeds turned the screw from kick-off and then made and absolute cracker to thwart Aaronson just after the break. Was finally beaten by a goal of real quality. 8

Kane Wilson: Looked the player most likely to cause Leeds a problem through his bravery and creativity. Got down the sides a couple of times and one run should have been awarded as a free-kick when he was chopped down. Laughable decision by the ref that. 6.5

Curtis Nelson: Got tight, got aggressive and tried to keep Leeds at bay where their rotation and pace caused problems, particularly in the first 15 minutes when Derby couldn't get out of their own half. 6

Nat Phillips: The on-loan Liverpool defender pretty much applied himself to this game like Nelson did which was to be as aggressive as possible but in the end, Derby were undone by some magic. 7

Callum Elder: The left-back was not as influential going forwards as previous games, but then that was to be expected given Leeds had 70 per cent of the possession in the first half. Got more involved on that side after the break. 6

Ebou Adams: Tried to disrupt Leeds in the middle of the pitch by fair means or foul. Left one on Ethan Ampadu that the referee didn't spot. Made a couple of good tackles and tried to drive the team on. 8

Kenzo Goudmijn: The problem with facing Leeds is that there is seldom a game that they don't dominate the ball and it asks you to be pitch perfect in the moments that come your way. Goudmijn tried, but couldn't find the lockpick. 6

Marcus Harness: Like Adams, he committed to a couple of tackles one of which earned a booking. Energy was there, but Derby couldn't keep the ball long enough to make it count. 6

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Fair to say that Sam Byram had the better of him in the first half but he worked hard for the cause on a night when Derby had to watch Leeds control the game. Put a lot into the game out of possession. 6

Jerry Yates: Playing against a £10m centre-back in Joe Rodon but he battled away manfully against a very talented Leeds side, but just couldn't find that break. 6

Kayden Jackson: There was one moment in the first half when he slashed at a cross that nearly gave Meslier a problem. That was the closest Derby came in the first half. Put his bundle in. 6

Subs

Corey Blackett-Taylor (Mendez-Laing 66): Had a goalbound shot that was blocked. 6

Tom Barkhuizen (Jackson 73): Got involved when he came on. 5.5

Tawanda Chirewa (Harness 73): Couple of touches. 5

James Collins (Yates 86): Not enough time to make an impression. N/A

Dajaune Brown (Goudmijn 86): As above. N/A

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