Derby County saw Leeds United move to the top of the Championship as goals from Joe Rodon and Max Wober secured a 2-0 win at Elland Road.
Derby had come with a plan to thwart Daniel Farke's side having deployed a 5-4-1 formation designed to deny the hosts space. It worked well for 30 minutes as Leeds struggled to create clear-cut chances but Leeds were ahead from a set-piece when Joe Rodon, a £10m signing from Spurs, was too strong for Kane Wilson to power in the opener.
Derby tried to get to half-time without conceding a second but that proved beyond them when a Brenden Aaronson cross nicked off Jerry Yates allowing Wober to score from close range. After the break, Leeds pushed for further goals but Jacob Widell Zetterstrom denied Dan James and Ao Tanaka before he pulled off a superb save to deny Joel Piroe.
Derby's challenge of scoring at Elland Road was made clear in that only three teams have managed to score against them in the league on their own patch this season.
But Warne's side couldn't join Watford, Portsmouth and Burnley in breaking down a Leeds team that has lost just one league game at Elland Road this season. Liam Thompson did sting the palms of Illan Meslier, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: For half-an-hour he had nothing to do as the Rams held their shape and frustrated Leeds. However Joe Rodon's header just escaped his palm and then beaten by Max Wober for the second. Made some good saves in the second half. 7
Kane Wilson: Got outmuscled by Joe Rodon for the first goal from a set-piece and then Wober beat him to the punch for the second. Needed to be sharper in those moments which proved costly. 4.5
Nat Phillips: Actually had a decent game in the first half. Made a couple of crunching challenges and used the ball well on occasion as Derby went to a back five. Was assured in everything he did. 8
Curtis Nelson: Made a couple of challenges, one of which was unfairly punished by the referee. But generally Derby were strong in the centre-back position and made a very good block in the second half. 7
Eiran Cashin: Made blocks, made tackles, passed the ball when he could and is playing well at the minute. The problem for him is that Derby lacked quality further up the pitch against a Leeds team packed with quality. 7
Craig Forsyth: Had to keep his wits about him against Dan James and did okay. You sensed that Derby were going to have a lot of defending to do. 6
Ben Osborn: Remained disciplined in shape as Derby frustrated Leeds well for 30 minutes. But that game plan went out the window after Rodon's opener from a set-piece. He never gave up. 5
Liam Thompson: Put in the energy as you would expect as he chased Leeds around the pitch, but in the moments Derby had a chance to spring the attack, they couldn't. 5
Kayden Jackson: There was one moment when he had a one v one against Pascal Struijk but touch was too heavy and it looked a very promising moment too. You don't get many of those at Elland Road. 4.5
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: The captain rarely had a chance to lay a glove on the Leeds defence and in the fleeting moments there were opportunities, couldn't make the most of them. 4.5
Jerry Yates: Had the thankless task of leading the line on his own. Had to drop back towards the halfway line as Derby tried to lay traps. Showed one or two neat touches but that was outside the area. 4.5
Subs
Marcus Harness (Mendez-Laing 65): Tried a couple of things which didn't come off. 4.5
Kenzo Goudmijn (Jackson 65): Showed some nice touches when he came on. Will probably play at Burnley. 5.5
Joe Ward (Wilson 81): Not really enough time to make an impression. N/A
James Collins (Yates 81): Got clattered as soon as he came on. N/A
Tom Barkhuizen (Thompson 81): One or two passes. N/A
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