Derby County boss Paul Warne has delivered a very honest verdict of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United.
Leeds barely had to get out of second gear at Elland Road as two goals just before the break from Joe Rodon and Max Wober earned a very comfortable three points.
In fairness to Derby, they restricted Leeds from creating much in the way of clear-cut chances from open play. However, the deadlock was deservedly broken when Rodon headed in a Joe Rothwell corner.
Substitute Wober then put the game to bed just a few moments later when he steered home a deflected Brenden Aaronson cross.
Despite Derby’s resolute defending, they found it extremely tough to string together any meaningful passages of play, managing just 37 per cent possession and three shots all game.
Warne ‘uncomfortable’ during Leeds win over Derby
It certainly isn’t the first time a side fighting to stay in the division has come to Elland Road and failed to lay a glove on Leeds.
Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle didn’t muster a single shot during their 3-0 defeat in early November, while Queens Park Rangers were only slightly less toothless just before the international break.
Warne’s Derby side have come up against both Sheffield United and Sunderland so far this season but speaking to Leeds Live post-match, he feels there was the biggest ‘gulf in class’ today.
In fact, Warne admitted he even felt ‘uncomfortable’ watching on from the touchline due to how dominant Leeds were in every aspect.
He said: “I am not surprised who won. Felt we frustrated them for 30 minutes. You have to be resolute. Goalkeeper made saves. Rodon on a corner was the one warning sign. Did not get close enough to him and then conceded the second straight away. Disappointed on that.
“Cannot knock the lads’ effort. We had passages of moving it quite well. A final probe. Massive congrats to Leeds. They pressed us so well. Felt like we kept being forced back to the goalkeeper.
“That was the most unbalanced game we have played in. Even our fastest players could not get past their defenders. That’s the most uncomfortable I have felt on the side of the pitch. A gulf in class. Had more moments against Sunderland and Sheffield United.”
Leeds’ expected goals against in every Championship home game
As mentioned with the likes of Plymouth and QPR, there have been so many matches at Elland Road this season that have taken a similar pattern to today.
It almost feels like some teams at the bottom are coming into it with the mindset of damage limitation, such is the infrequency in which Illan Meslier is forced into making saves.
| Match | xGA |
| Portsmouth | 0.94 |
| Hull City | 0.49 |
| Burnley | 0.66 |
| Coventry City | 0.41 |
| Sheffield United | 0.2 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 0 |
| QPR | 0.34 |
| Luton Town | 0.8 |
| Derby County | 0.08 |
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