Leeds United players could not believe what the fans were chanting after knocking out Derby County at the Pride Park

Derby County 1-3 Leeds United: Leeds fight back to progress

Leeds United fought back from a goal down to ensure there would be no upset at Pride Park, defeating Derby County 3-1.

It certainly was not a plain sailing match for Daniel Farke’s men, who went behind courtesy of a goal from Ben Brereton Díaz following Piroe’s saved penalty.

But second-half goals from Willy Gnonto and Ao Tanaka turned the game on its head before an injury-time goal from James Justin added the cherry on top for the visitors. Story of the match:

Both sides had their chances to land the first blow of this tie inside the opening ten minutes. Corey Blackett-Taylor was the first to threaten for Derby, showing persistence to win the ball back and fire an effort that was blocked by Ethan Ampadu.

A fast break from the visitors presented them with their first real opportunity of the day as the ball fell to an onrushing Noah Okafor on the edge of the box. The 25-year-old got it all wrong; however, his effort sailed far above the goal of Jacob Zetterström.

Blackett-Taylor was the man pulling the strings for Derby in the opening stages, being found in space down the left wing on multiple occasions. Despite this, Leeds were effective in their defence, not allowing the 28-year-old a clear sight at goal.

The home side had shown plenty of intent as they continued to work themselves into good areas, but John Eustace would have been looking for his team to work Karl Darlow more than they had up to the half-hour mark.

It was Leeds who had the first big chance of the game right on the 30-minute mark. Lukas Nmecha was challenged by Danny Batth just before he could pull the trigger, leaving the ball at the feet of Joel Piroe. The Dutchman unleashed a venomous effort that had Zetterström beaten but struck the post and flew back out to safety.

Daniel Farke’s men were beginning to threaten more as Noah Okafor was the next to force a save from Derby’s number one. This sustained period of pressure took a toll on the Rams and eventually bore fruit for the visitors, who were awarded a penalty as Zetterström made contact with Nmecha in the box without taking any of the ball with him.

Piroe stepped up to take the spot-kick, but it was the Swede who swiftly went from zero to hero, providing a strong right hand to keep the score level and make amends for his concession of the penalty.

Leeds were firmly on top, but the penalty save is exactly what the Rams needed to revitalise them and help them find that moment of magic. That is exactly what they did against the run of play.

Blackett-Taylor, a constant menace for the Leeds backline in the first half, persisted with his run and was brought down in the box. Despite appeals, Ben Brereton Díaz did not switch off, reacting quickest to the loose ball, striking a lovely effort into the far corner to give his side the advantage.

By no means was it a poor performance from Farke’s men, who had their opponents boxed in their own half for periods of the first half. It was an inspired display from Zetterström that meant the visitors were behind going into the break, but with 45 minutes left to play, there was still plenty of time for things to change.

As expected, the visitors came out with plenty of intent, Willy Gnonto in particular getting some joy down the right wing against Craig Forsyth. The 22-year-old had the beating of his man on almost every occasion and got his reward for his relentless running down the wing ten minutes after the restart.

Jaka Bijol picked out the Italian in all sorts of space on the right side of the box. He put plenty of power behind his finish, leaving Zetterström with no chance on this occasion and drawing his side level.

It was exactly what Leeds needed and was certainly no less than they deserved. The momentum had well and truly shifted now as the hunt was on for the goal to fire the visitors into the lead.

Only three minutes later, the game was completely turned on its head when Ao Tanaka fired his side into the lead. The 27-year-old simply reacted the quickest following an initial save from Zetterström, tapping the ball into the bottom right corner to complete the comeback.

It was now Derby’s turn to push for an equaliser as they looked to keep their dreams of progressing to the next round alive. Eustace introduced more forwards, including Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang, as he searched for a response from his side.

The Rams pushed until the bitter end, but this provided Leeds with one last opening late on as James Justin was found in acres of space, burying the ball to ensure the game would be going in the favour of Leeds.

It was a valiant effort from the Championship outfit, but the Premier League quality of Leeds shone through when it mattered as they marched on to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Player of the match: Jacob Widell Zetterström Despite finding himself on the losing end of affairs in this encounter, it can not be denied that the Swede gave a fantastic account of himself against Premier League opposition.

He made eight saves, including one from a penalty, keeping the Rams well within the game right until the bitter end. It can be said he was unlucky with the second goal he conceded, having made an outstanding save to deny the initial attempt.

Zetterström ensured the scoreline would be a more than respectable one for his side, in what was a fine display from the Rams’ number one.Had it not been for him, it could have been much worse for Eustace’s men.