Match report
Here is Will Unwin’s report from Elland Road. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight!
Post-game thoughts from the two goalscorers, starting with Pascal Struijk: “It’s a massive win. We always knew it would be a really tough game. It’s a good thing we broke them down today. It’s way too early to start looking at the table – but the only way from here is up.”
And Mateo Joseph: “I feel great, helping the team get the three points, it’s a reward for hard work.” The striker also scored a hat-trick for Spain’s Under-21s this week and adds: “I was desperate to get on … really happy for this last week, and I’ll keep working hard.”
Full time: Leeds 2-0 Sheffield United
It wasn’t easy, or all that pretty, but Leeds have deservedly won this Yorkshire derby thanks to a set-piece finish from Pascal Struijk and a late Mateo Joseph clincher. Sheffield United’s unbeaten start ends here – they just didn’t have enough to keep their local rivals at bay tonight.
Updated
94 mins: Ao Tanaka is named man of the match after an excellent all-round midfield display. Joe Rothwell, his midfield partner whose corner broke the deadlock, is also worthy of a shout.
93 mins: Campbell’s cross skids away from Moore, and that will probably be that.
Updated
Piroe is replaced by Patrick Bamford, while Sam Byram is on for Firpo. “Wilder, what’s the score?” ask the jubilant home fans, before a rendition of “one team in Yorkshire”. One more goal tonight, and Leeds will edge to the top of the table.
Updated
Just as a nervous five minutes of stoppage time comes into view, Piroe prods through a perfect through ball and Joseph holds off Peck before poking the ball past Cooper. A clinical counter attack, and a killer goal.
GOAL! Leeds 2-0 Sheffield United (Joseph 89')
That doesn’t really matter any more, because Mateo Joseph has sealed victory for Leeds!
Updated
89 mins: After what happened at Sunderland, Meslier will be very keen indeed to see out stoppage time without conceding …
87 mins: Just three bookings in this so-called derby: two for protesting decisions, and one for time wasting. What is this, mid-90s Serie A?
85 mins: A deep corner to the far post has Meslier worried, but the keeper gets a touch to prod the ball behind. The next corner is half-cleared and Arblaster’s attempted cross is blocked by Tanaka. The Blades midfielder goes overboard in appealing for a penalty, and gets booked.
83 mins: As it stands, Leeds will sneak above their opponents and into second place behind Sunderland, who face Hull on Sunday. Before then, either Burnley or West Brom could snaffle top spot with wins on Saturday. It’s up for grabs!
Back to tonight’s game, and Junior Firpo gets booked for time wasting.
Updated
80 mins: A scrappy spell as Leeds continue to hold Sheffield United at arm’s length. Perhaps Rhian Brewster can change that, as he replaces Vini Souza, who will miss the next game against Middlesbrough after getting booked tonight.
78 mins: Mateo Joseph is summoned from the Leeds bench, replacing Ramazani. That will probably mean Piroe drops deeper, with James and Solomon operating on the wings.
76 mins: Manor Solomon exchanges words with Anel Amhedhodzic after the two grapple for the ball. Another change for Sheffield United, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi replacing Rhys Norrington-Davies in a decidedly attacking switch.
Updated
74 mins: Kieffer Moore, who hasn’t offered much beyond nuisance value, tries to connect with a cross from deep – but Meslier is able to collect it easily.
72 mins: So, Sheffield United are left with 20 minutes to find a leveller. They can take encouragement from that spell before the goal, and still have attacking options on the bench.
Sheffield United’s six-game streak without conceding is over, thanks to Leeds’ first set-piece goal for 21 games. Rothwell created it with a clever low cross towards Struijk at the near post, who buried the bouncing ball into the roof of the net!
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Sheffield United (Struijk 69')
And from the corner, Pascal Struijk breaks the deadlock for Leeds!
Updated
67 mins: Now Leeds make changes with Dan James and Manor Solomon replacing Aaronson and Gnonto, who had just won the hosts a corner.
66 mins: The attacking momentum is lost as Sheffield United are penalised from the corner. Nothing happening in there you wouldn’t see at the Emirates, at first glance.
Updated
65 mins: They seemed to be hanging on, but the changes have rejuvenated Sheffield United, who go even closer as Arblaster’s shot from distance is deflected behind by Joe Rodon.
63 mins: The first chance in a long time for Sheffield United, with Rodon’s poor pass setting up Burrows, who exchanges passes with Moore – only for Rodon to redeem himself by blocking the shot.
61 mins: Three changes for Sheffield United – Alfie Gilchrist, Tyrese Campbell and Sydie Peck replace Shackleton, O’Hare and Hamer.
Updated
60 mins: Vini Souza waves an imaginary yellow card at the referee, asking him to book Junior Firpo. The only man getting booked is Souza himself, for waving said air card.
59 mins: More trickery from Gnonto down the right, and his cross pinballs into the path of Firpo, who swipes at air with his attempted volley. He wins the ball back and then tumbles down cheaply, but the referee waves his protests away.
57 mins: O’Hare almost gets a break of the ball on the edge of the area, but Leeds clear and Gnonto wins a foul, to ironic cheers from the home crowd. Leeds break at pace and Aaronson advances into the area, but can only earn a corner with his flick across goal.
56 mins: Ramazani penalised for clipping Ahmedhodzic but escapes a booking; that’s probably the first yellow-worthy challenge we’ve had in this slow-cooked derby.
55 mins: Tanaka has been very effective in the Leeds midfield, offering some tidy passing in the buildup and dropping back into defence when required.
53 mins: Piroe tries a shot from 30 yards that, if he had his time again, he might not bother with. Sheffield United have now gone 11 hours in the league without conceding.
51 mins: I’m not sure how effective this Sheffield United setup really is; both Burrows and Shackleton have looked shaky defensively, without offering much when they push forward.
49 mins: After a lukewarm start, Leeds create another good opening – but from Firpo’s searching cross, Aaronson, trying to bury the ball as it ricochets off Gnonto, only sends it sailing into the gleeful away end.
46 mins: A sloppy pass from Arblaster almost sets Leeds free, but Piroe can’t connect with the quick through ball.
Second half
We’re back under way. Goals please!
Updated
Some sad news from Blackpool, where Steve Bruce will miss Saturday’s game after the death of his four-month-old grandson, Madison.
Leeds 0-0 Sheffield United
Goalless at the break, but Leeds have been the better side after a slow first 10 minutes, and it feels like a matter of time until they score, unless Chris Wilder changes things up. More soon.
47 mins: Still time for another Leeds half-chance, with Firpo’s cross volleyed wide at the near post by Aaronson. And that’s half-time.
45 mins: Aaronson drops deep and tries to pick out Piroe with a cross, but the visiting defence deal with it. Not much joy for Joel Piroe so far, surrounded by tall centre-backs.
43 mins: Norrington-Davies also intervened to deny Gnonto in the previous move, and replays show the bouncing ball struck his arm before he cleared. Not one you’d want to see given, unless you’re a Leeds fan, of course.
42 mins: Gnonto tries to wriggle through three or four defenders and almost does so, before immediately getting the ball back from Kieffer Moore. His shot is blocked by Norrington-Davies, with Moore – who simply stood with his hands on his head after giving it away – grateful for the intervention.
41 mins: O’Hare is a little frustrated when a long pass is delayed and he runs offside. Sheffield United are yet to conjure a shot on target, or anything close to one really.
39 mins: After a drinks break while Ramazani got treatment, Leeds are presented with a chance when Michael Cooper’s weak clearance falls to Aaronson. He shoots, under pressure from Souza, but his shot is going wide even before Cooper gets a flying fingertip to it.
36 mins: The referee, Lewis Smith, continues to vex the home fans by not giving a free kick when Norrington-Davies brings down Ramazani. Turns out he was right – the Leeds winger went down very easily, then rolled back on to the pitch to ensure play stopped.
35 mins: Chris Wilder’s fluid formation gave Leeds some problems early on, but it now seems more of an issue for his own players, who are struggling to get any attacking fluency going and largely relying on long balls.
33 mins: Bogle’s cut-back from out on the right touchline is cleared away by Vini Souza, who has done well in the holding midfield slot so far.
32 mins: A lucky break for Burrows, who appears to foul Bogle as the Leeds man pounces on a loose pass – but the referee gives the free kick the other way! Meanwhile, a couple of Blades players head to the touchline to absorb some tactical tweaks.
30 mins: Ramazani pops up on the right side and looks to find Gnonto in the middle, but his low cross is cut out by Cooper. Leeds certainly the team on top now, though.
29 mins: Bogle’s clearance smacks Burrows full in the face, much to the delight of the home fans. He is able to get up and carry on quickly enough.
28 mins: A Leeds penalty shout for handball is waved away, before Aaronson tries to free Piroe with a diagonal pass that’s overhit, and goes out for a goal kick.
26 mins: The best opening yet for the hosts as the dangerous Ramazani springs the offside trap, with his well-struck, low early shot well saved by Michael Cooper, whose long run without conceding goes on.
Updated
24 mins: Another opening for Leeds, again down the left, with Ramazani latching on to Firpo’s pass and firing off the outside of the post into the side netting.
Updated
23 mins: Firpo almost connects with Gnonto down the left, and then moments later he dances past Shackleton before Vini Souza prods it away.
22 mins: Some hefty challenges flying in now, with Burrows knocking Bogle over as the right-back delays on the ball. Leeds work it forward and Gnonto finds a pocket of space, before his cut-back is intercepted.
21 mins: Arblaster points the way to Ahmedhodzic, who delivers a long ball for his teammate to run on to. It’s a decent effort, but bounces through to Meslier.
19 mins: Rothwell’s delivery from deep is a bit undercooked, and is deflected along the 18-yard line before Sheffield United clear it away.
18 mins: Bogle is pushing high upfield from right-back, with Gnonto shifting inside. The full-back combines with Aaronson here, and he gets hacked down by Souza qfor a Leeds free kick.
Updated
16 mins: Arblaster flicks the ball over two Leeds players and into the path of O’Hare, who is flagged offside. Replays suggest it was a very close call.
14 mins: A little more intent from Leeds, with Gnonto curling a cross towards Piroe. It’s intercepted but the hosts win a corner when Bogle gets to the rebound first. The corner almost falls to Struijk, but Tanaka is penalised for hauling Burrows over.
12 mins: Hamer cuts inside his marker and shoots, but his effort balloons off another defender and into Meslier’s arms.
11 mins: Leeds get a corner but the delivery is cleared at the near post and Sheffield United threaten to break – only for winger Largie Ramazani to make a crunching tackle, winning the approval of the Elland Road faithful.
Updated
10 mins: My highlight of a tentative first 10 minutes is the Leeds fans’ “Voulez-Vous” inspired chant, which is (I think) about Gaetano Berardi.
8 mins: Sheffield United look to have settled quicker with Arblaster dictating things in midfield. He sets up Hamer on the right, but his cross is easy enough for Meslier to collect.
6 mins: It looks like left-back Harrison Burrows is pushing forward when Sheffield United get the ball, making the formation a 4-5-1 with O’Hare playing behind Moore.
4 mins: Gnonto goes down and looks a little sore but is OK to continue. Sheffield United get their first half-chance, Callum O’Hare almost latching on to Moore’s flick-on before Junior Firpo gets a toe on the ball to intercept.
2 mins: It’s Leeds on the front foot early on, with Harry Souttar getting across to deal with Gnonto down the right. The Australia centre-back has played internationals in Adelaide and Saitama, Japan in the last eight days.
Peep!
We’re off, Leeds in all-white, Sheffield United in red and white stripes, black shirts, black socks. Textbook.
Kick-off approaching, Leeds fans belting out “Marching on Together” as the players file out on to the pitch. But before the game begins, a minute’s applause will be held for George Baldock. Banners and Greek flags held aloft in the away end, with Sheffield United fans chanting his name. It’s a moving moment.
Updated
Our roving reporter on the ground tonight is Will Unwin, who tells me it’s a chilly night at Elland Road, forcing him to don a bobble hat for the first time this season.
No changes from Daniel Farke to the team that drew 2-2 at Sunderland before the international break. Chris Wilder does switch things up, with Jamie Shackleton, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Gustavo Hamer and Harrison Burrows coming in to a more defensive set-up with five at the back.
Team news
Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Piroe.
Subs: Darlow, James, Bamford, Solomon, Fernandez, Byram, Schmidt, Debayo, Crew.
Sheffield United (5-4-1): Cooper; Shackleton, Souttar, Ahmedhodzic, Norrington-Davies, Burrows; Arblaster, Vinícius Souza, Hamer, O’Hare; Moore.
Subs: Adam Davies, Gilchrist, McCallum, Brewster, Rak-Sakyi, Robinson, Campbell, Brooks, Peck.
Referee: Lewis Smith (Lancashire).
Updated
Tributes to George Baldock, firstly from his former Sheffield United teammate, Anel Ahmedhodzic. “He was my partner, we were dominating the right side when we played together. He was the first one to make me feel part of the group. He was such a great guy. It’s very sad, and for me and people I know, it’s been a hard week.”
Chris Basham, who is on Sky punditry duties, adds: “I was hit by it hard … he was the heartbeat of the dressing room, putting the music on, getting the lads fired up. He was an outstanding footballer, and an outstanding person as well.”
Jobi McAnuff: “He really connected with Sheffield United fans, he had such an infectious personality and brought that to the pitch. He gave absolutely everything, every minute he put that shirt on.”
Whether you’re a Sheffield United fan or not, if you’d like to pay your own tribute to George Baldock, drop me an email or tweet @niallmcveigh.
Updated
The teams are in:
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI... pic.twitter.com/hCIVtsRspo
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 18, 2024
The Blades to take on Leeds 📋
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 18, 2024
Four changes, including a first league start for RND. 💪#LEESHU | #YeloDrive pic.twitter.com/3RBGkM4YOU
Preamble
It’s still early days, but this season’s Championship promotion race looks set to be an all-timer. The top nine teams are separated by five points, and have a combined 110 years of Premier League service between them. All nine could argue that the top flight is their natural habitat – but the task of climbing through the trapdoor (and avoiding an immediate fall back) is tougher than ever.
Two of the second tier’s biggest beasts meet in a Yorkshire derby tonight, having largely swerved each other in their respective bounces between divisions. Leeds and Sheffield United haven’t played a top-flight game in front of a crowd since 1994 – but tonight’s meeting between the unbeaten Blades and Daniel Farke’s fizz-fuelled heavyweights will feel undeniably top-tier.
While we can expect a fierce intensity under the lights at Elland Road, the occasion will get off to a sombre start. This is Sheffield United’s first game since the tragic death of their former player, George Baldock, at the age of 31. He will be commemorated by both clubs with a minute’s silence before kick-off, which is at 8pm (BST).
