'That's why we are mid-table' - No nonsense Phillip Cocu admits Leeds United have taught Derby County a lesson

Leeds lined up for their penultimate game of the season having already already secured promotion as champions with head coach Marcelo Bielsa making seven changes to his side for a rematch of last season's play-off semi-final first leg.

After United had squandered several good chances in the first half, Chris Martin's deflected shot gave the Rams a 54th-minute lead but United equalised just two minutes later before Jamie Shackleton's first goal in senior football put Leeds 2-1 up.

United then kept pressing for further goals and Derby's Matthew Clarke diverted a cross from Gjanni Alioski past his own goalkeeper in the 84th minute.

The triumph put Premier League-bound Leeds on to 90 points for the Championship campaign and eight points clear of second-placed West Brom with Derby remaining 12th and nine points off the top six following a fourth loss in a row.

The Rams are 29 points behind the Whites and an honest Cocu pulled no punches in admitting the gulf in class showed.

Asked if his side's display lacked intensity, Cocu said: "Absolutely, yes.

"I made myself very clear at half-time and even at the drinks break so I thought in the second half we came out much better.

"We scored a good goal and within two or three minutes they scored the equaliser and from that moment on I think Leeds were the better team and more likely to win it and that's exactly what happened.

"Part of it is the quality of the team, it's obvious that they have a good squad, even with a lot changes, a real good team.

"Physically they are the best team in the league, they run with so much high intensity.

"But for us it's a hard lesson so we know we have to improve from a physical part but also on the pitch and in the football you have to be more effective and more solid.

"If you go 1-0 up in this situation, if we can stay in the game for ten or 15 minutes longer I think it is very likely that we would get a good result.

"But it's happened a few times this season where we concede too early after we celebrate or after the restart and that's something that holds us back.

"That's why we are again back in mid table."

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Thank you Laura Collins