Leeds down Sheffield Utd, move up to second
Leeds downed Sheffield United 2-0 on Friday to jump up to second in the English Championship on goal difference.
Second-half goals from defender Pascal Struijk and substitute Mateo Joseph produced a deserved win for Leeds at Elland Road.
The result ended Sheffield United's unbeaten record this season and extended Leeds' unbeaten league run to five matches.
Leeds moved up from fifth to second on 19 points with leaders Sunderland, in action at Hull on Sunday, and Sheffield United, who dropped from second to third.
🔥 YORKSHIRE DERBY VICTORS!! pic.twitter.com/KFcokLWybb
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 18, 2024
Captain Struijk broke 69 minutes of deadlock when his fine left-footed finish off Joe Rothwell's bouncing corner flew past keeper Michael Cooper and into the top corner.
That was the first goal the Blades had conceded since August 24.
Leeds doubled up in the 90th minute when Joseph ran onto Joe Piroe's artful assist to beat his marker and slide the ball past Cooper.
"It's massive. Tonight we always knew that was going to be a tough game," said Struijk.
The defender, who joined Leeds in 2018, added: "Six clean sheets in a row, you don't do that if you're not solid defensively so I'm glad we broke them down today.
"It's way too early to look at the table. Hopefully we win as much as we can - the only way from here is up."
Tributes were paid before kick-off to former Blades defender George Baldock, who died at his home in Greece last week aged 31.
A minute's silence was spontaneously turned into a minute's applause by both home and away fans, while the players wore black armbands.
🤍 Ahead of tonight’s game, both sides came together to pay our respects to former Sheffield United player George Baldock, who sadly passed away recently.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 18, 2024
Rest in peace, George. #FootballFamily pic.twitter.com/zZIYQBsBdY
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