Leeds lack punch on Boxing Day

Leeds United started the festive fixtures with a disappointing defeat at Derby County.

Jamie Ward scored the only goal of the game halfway through the second half when he beat Andy Lonergan at the second attempt.

Luciano Becchio and Patrick Kisnorbo had the best opportunities for Leeds but it was another disappointing performance.

Leeds made just one change from the disappointing defeat to Reading last time out with Darren O`Dea replacing Paul Connolly in the side.

Darren O`Dea had Leeds first chance with a free header at the back post following a corner from Robert Snodgrass, the ball was eventually cleared to Michael Brown who shot wide

Derby had the best chance in the opening fifteen minutes when Nathan Tyson fired straight at Andy Lonergan after good work from Jamie Ward.

Ross McCormack went close when Frank Fielding turned his long-range effort round the post.

Derby went close when Ward hit the post and Paul Green could not react quickly enough to turn the ball in for the home side.

Patrick Kisnorbo then headed over for Leeds following a free kick from Snodgrass.

Tyson then got in behind the Leeds defence. Lonergan turned his shot out for a corner to the home side.

Snodgrass then forced Fielding into a save from a free kick.

From the following corner, Luciano Becchio missed a great chance to put Leeds ahead, his header clearing the bar from close range.

Leeds made a change close to half time when Paul Connolly replaced Tom Lees at right back.

The first half got scrappy as it headed towards half time with neither side creating anything in front of goal in the closing ten minutes.

Derby started the better in the second half with James Bailey and Gareth Roberts both shooting wide in the opening five minutes.

Kisnorbo had Leeds first effort on goal in the second half when he headed over from a free kick.

Callum Ball had the next effort for the home side but he also failed to work the goalkeeper.

Danny Pugh had the first effort on target for Leeds in the second half with Fielding only able to parry his shot.

Derby took the lead halfway then the half Jamie Ward scored at the second attempt after Lonergan had saved his first shot.


Snodgrass forced Fielding into a good save as they tried to find an equaliser.

McCormack then had a chance, his shot was parried and Clayton saw his shot turned over for a corner.

Nunez then forced Fielding into another save as Leeds desperately searched for an equaliser late into the game.

From the corner, Fielding made a point blank save to deny Kisnorbo an equaliser as the game headed into time added on.

It was to prove the final chance for Leeds to earn a point as Leeds were beaten for the second game in a row.


Teams
Derby County
Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Green, Bailey, Bryson, Ball (O`Brien 90), Tyson (Robinson 65), Ward

Subs not used
Legzdins, B. Davies, Priskin

Leeds United
Lonergan, Lees (Connolly 43), Kisnorbo, O`Dea, White (Nunez 74), Snodgrass, Clayton, Brown, Pugh, Becchio (Keogh 68), McCormack

Substitutes not used
McCarthy, Vayrynen

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