Derby County U21 2-5 Leeds United U21 highlights: Mateo Joseph scores four times in season opener
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This year, Leeds’ newly-christened Under-21 side return to the division in which they were crowned champions two seasons ago.
Last year’s relegation from Premier League 2 Division 1 was a bitter pill to swallow given the several simultaneous injuries suffered at first-team level and the impact that subsequently had on Under-23 – as it was previously known – team selection.
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Hide AdThis season, the young Whites have a new head coach in Michael Skubala at the helm, buoyed by the additions of Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins signed from Manchester City and West Ham United respectively.
Tonight’s season opener sees Leeds take on Derby County at Pride Park, a team who were also relegated from the top tier last term.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm. Text and multimedia updates throughout the evening will drop here as due to Premier League broadcast restrictions, the Under-21s will not be televised or streamed on LUTV this evening.
Derby County U21 2-5 Leeds United U21 highlights: Mateo Joseph scores four times in season opener
FT: Derby County 2-5 Leeds United
Aside from a second half scare, Leeds were largely in control of this fixture, asserting themselves as the dominant team for large portions of the game. Mateo Joseph (4) looked frighteningly sharp and deserving of his four goals. Sonny Perkins grabbed the other on his debut for the Under-21s and looks a very promising player. Dan James came through 90 minutes unscathed.
84’ Free-kick from McGurk to James on the edge of the box is a difficult one to control and his shot is saved by Evans
71’ Great save by Ombang. Derby pressuring and Ibrahim gets a low shot away. Leeds GK down well to his right and gets a strong hand to deny the Rams man.
GOOOOALLL MATEO JOSEPH 5-2
It’s a fourth for Mateo Joseph! McGurk whips in a great free-kick, Kris Moore leaps highest and heads it back across goal where Perkins and Joseph are queuing up. Mateo heads into the unguarded net.
GOOOALLLL SONNY PERKINS 4-2
Debut goal for the new boy. Gray clips a cross in, Evans drops it and Perkins spins to fire in from close range.
59’ Going for his hat-trick, Aghatise blazes one over from range. Derby buoyed by their two goals, as you’d expect.
58’ Moving through the gears, Perkins tries to buy a yard to get a shot off. His effort is deflected wide of the mark but nice, flowing movement in build-up.
GOAL 2-3 Derby
Aghatise again for the hosts. He bends a low free-kick past Ombang in the Leeds goal from the edge of the penalty area.
GOAL 1-3 Derby get one back
Jenkins and Debayo both slide in on Ibrahim but miss the ball altogether. He drives into the box and plays a simple pass across for Aghatise to sweep home.
One shot, two shots, three shots.
51’ Sustained pressure from Leeds. Perkins' effort is blocked while Gyabi sees one fly over after his initial attempt was charged down.