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 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.

Here's all the talking points from last night....

A spirited effort

When you can afford to bring on Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe and Daniel James as second-half substitutes, is there a team in the league that can boast such firepower?

The answer is a resounding no and such extraordinary strength in depth is why Leeds, based on this showing, look like the champions in waiting. Even if they were to suffer a couple of injuries, there is more than enough to compensate and that should worry Sheffield United and the rest of the challengers hoping to dine at the top table of English football next season.

But while there was understandable envy at some of the quality stocked in Daniel Farke's armoury, Derby gave as good as they got in terms of spirit on a night when they had to hope that everything fell perfectly and Leeds had their shoelaces tied together.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but it did take a goal of outstanding quality to ensure Leeds went home happy. As they say in life, you invariably get what you pay for. That said, Derby left this game with a great deal of credit in the bank. They competed for large spells, and perhaps with more magic in the final third, they might have come away with a result.

Head coach Paul Warne shared what his players were thinking in that they felt disappointed they had not left with some reward, which, he felt, was a sign of how far they think they have come since the last meeting at Elland Road a few weeks back. That frustration was certainly evident judging by their response at full-time.

But ultimately, there was no disgrace in losing to this Leeds side, who are a lot further in their journey than Derby are in their own post-administration. All you can ask is that you give it a go and Derby certainly did that. And it should give them much encouragement rather than disappointment as we approach the second half of the season.

Zetterstrom proves his worth

At the end of the West Brom game on Boxing Day, those who had not escaped Pride Park early to beat the traffic would have seen him launch into some forward rolls in celebration. He is rapidly becoming a cult hero here at Pride Park with his antics post-match but underneath all of those antics and the playing to the crowd, he remains an exceptionally talented goalkeeper.

Warne joked afterwards that the saves he made against Leeds is what he pays him for, but that said, the one he made to deny Brenden Aaronson early in the second half was probably the best he has made this season.

The Sweden international packs an incredibly big frame, but he almost defies the laws of physics with how quickly he is to make saves of that quality given the speed and reflexes needed.

But the £1.7m that Derby shelled out for him in the summer looks to have been a great bit of business. He's still very young for a goalkeeper and a long way from reaching his peak. As investments go, it's certainly a very good one.

Referee won no friends

Andy Davies is one referee who used to be a former player back in the day, but he did not win many friends here at Pride Park.

His first-half performance drew boos from every section of the stadium and there was a point in the game when you wondered whether he was oblivious to seeing the colours black and white.

A challenge on Kane Wilson right outside the box should have been punished with a free-kick, but instead he let it slide, Leeds countered and if they had scored, it would have been an injustice.

It's a tough gig refereeing, but the problem with the officials this season is the barometer for what is a foul and what isn't changes by the game and, in some cases, during them. It's infuriating to managers, players and certainly the fans. All we ask for is consistency.

Derby just need a bit of extra magic

With this being the last game of 2024, Derby's head coach was inevitably asked questions about the transfer window and what he needs when the market opens for business.

Warne didn't give too much away other than to say he would like to strengthen with the forward areas ripe for a bit of a January refit. Adding goals to the team is undoubtedly a priority, but there really isn't much in reserve should Jerry Yates get injured or if Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and players like him should have a spell on the sidelines.

When Leeds brought on their subs, Derby turned to Tom Barkhuizen, James Collins, Dajaune Brown and Tawanda Chirewa. Three of those played in League One, the other spent a good chunk of time on loan in the National League. If Derby can add some reinforcements to the attack then you sense it could make a huge difference for the second half of the season.

There is a lot to admire about this team in terms of its spirit, togetherness and, as we saw against West Brom, there is quality too. Derby are always in every game they play, but with a couple of quality additions, they should go on to achieve the objective they set out, which was to survive their first season back in the Championship.

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