Key Points
- Leeds United came from behind to defeat Derby County 3-1 in the FA Cup third round at Pride Park.
- Derby took a first-half lead through Ben Brereton Diaz after saving a Joel Piroe penalty.
- Wilfried Gnonto and Ao Tanaka scored quickfire second-half goals to turn the match around for Leeds.
- James Justin sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal on the counter-attack.
- Leeds manager Daniel Farke praised his rotated squad for overcoming a tough fixture against the Championship side.
- The match reignited a historic rivalry between the clubs, dating back to the 1960s and the 2019 Spygate scandal.
Derby (The Leeds Times) January 12, 2026 – Leeds United staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1 in the FA Cup third round, advancing to the fourth round draw.
The Premier League side, managed by Daniel Farke, overcame a first-half deficit at Pride Park, where Championship hosts Derby had threatened an upset. Wilfried Gnonto and Ao Tanaka struck within four minutes early in the second half, before substitute James Justin added a third in stoppage time. Leeds boss Farke made eight changes to his lineup following a midweek defeat, highlighting the fixture’s challenges.
What sparked the intense rivalry revival during the match?
The encounter reignited a fierce rivalry between Leeds United and Derby County, rooted in clashes from the 1960s and 1970s under managers Don Revie and Brian Clough. Tensions were further stoked by the 2019 Spygate affair, when Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending scouts to observe Derby’s training sessions ahead of a Championship clash. According to Sky Sports reporting, the historical animosity added edge to Sunday’s cup tie at Pride Park.
As reported by Richie Rich of Sky Sports, Derby appeared poised for an upset at half-time after Ben Brereton Diaz fired them ahead in the 35th minute, moments after goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom denied Joel Piroe from the penalty spot. The Irish Examiner detailed how Piroe’s spot-kick came after Lukas Nmecha was fouled by Zetterstrom, but Derby capitalised swiftly on the rebound.
How did Leeds turn the game in the second half?
Leeds dominated after the interval, with Gnonto and Tanaka scoring quickfire goals around the 50-minute mark to deflate Derby’s momentum. Sky Sports noted the double strike in four minutes knocked the stuffing out of the hosts, who sit 17 places below Leeds in the league pyramid. The Irish Examiner reported Leeds’ pressure built with efforts from Piroe and Nmecha before the breakthrough.
What role did substitutions play in Leeds’ victory?
Substitute James Justin sealed a deserved win in stoppage time, finishing a counter-attack as Leeds progressed comfortably. Farke rotated heavily, giving minutes to fringe players, as per his post-match comments to TNT Sports covered by Sky Sports. Derby also made six changes after a recent defeat to Wrexham, but could not sustain their lead.
What did Daniel Farke say about the performance?
Leeds manager Daniel Farke hailed his side’s resilience, telling TNT Sports: “Many compliments to the lads. Back to winning ways, we know how difficult such a fixture is, so I would label it nearly a 50-50 game.” He acknowledged Derby’s freshness without a midweek fixture, contrasting Leeds’ gruelling schedule. Sky Sports quoted Farke emphasising the need for squad players to gain match minutes amid a demanding campaign.
The New Straits Times reported Leeds’ rally avoided an FA Cup shock, underscoring the second-half fightback’s importance. Both teams fielded rotated lineups, with Derby riding luck early before Leeds’ quality prevailed. The victory books Leeds’ place in Monday evening’s fourth-round draw, providing momentum after recent league setbacks.
