Joe Rodon and Max Wober both scored their first goals for Leeds United as the Whites reclaimed the top spot in the Championship with a win over Derby County.
Rodon opened the scoring with a first-half header, marking his first goal in English football and just the second of his career, following stints at Tottenham, Swansea, and Rennes.
Wober, also a defender, added a second shortly after with a tap-in, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Derby striker Jerry Yates, who had dropped back to reinforce Derby’s struggling defense.
Despite a series of strong second-half saves from Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, including a standout stop to deny Joel Piroe, Leeds secured their seventh consecutive home win at Elland Road.
Leeds were denied the chance to return to the top a week earlier by Blackburn, but their convincing win over Derby County—who have now lost three straight and won just one of their last 10 matches—moved them above Sheffield United on goal difference.
However, the Blades can reclaim the top spot on Sunday if they avoid defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
Leeds dominated possession, holding as much as 86% of the ball in the early stages, against a Derby side set up to frustrate them in challenging, wet conditions. The hosts were forced into a 21st-minute substitution, with the injured Junior Firpo replaced by the more defensive-minded Wober. Leeds then created their first chance when Brenden Aaronson’s fierce shot was blocked by Eiran Cashin, before Rodon sent a free header wide from the ensuing corner.
Aaronson’s follow-up effort on the turn forced Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into a smart save, but Rodon made amends for his earlier miss by powering home a header from Joe Rothwell’s corner in the 39th minute.
Wober displayed great attacking instincts to make it 2-0 just before the break, reacting quickly to an Aaronson cross that was deflected into his path by Derby’s Jerry Yates.
After halftime, Leeds pushed for a third, but Zetterstrom was on hand to deny a swerving shot from Dan James and an Ao Tanaka effort in quick succession. Piroe then forced Zetterstrom into the best save of the afternoon, denying a shot destined for the bottom corner.
Derby struggled to create any real threats, with their only shot on target coming in the 80th minute when Liam Thompson’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.