Tuesday evening's Championship clash at the iPro Stadium pitted Derby County against Leeds United.
The hosts had just about the better of the first period and led at the break courtesy of an own-goal from Alex Mowatt.
Derby doubled their lead two minutes into the second period courtesy of a header from the returning Jake Buxton.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Championship coverage continues from the iPro Stadium as Derby County welcome a struggling Leeds United side. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
DERBY: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Eustace, Hendrick, Hughes; Russell, Ibe, Martin
LEEDS: Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Cooper, Warnock; Austin, Bianchi, Mowatt, Cook; Antenucci, Doukara
So there we have it. Derby boss Steve McClaren has made one change from the team that thumped Birmingham City last time out, with centre-back Jake Buxton returning in place of Ryan Shotton. Liverpool's on-loan midfielder Jordon Ibe continues in the side, while Chris Martin will lead the line for the in-form hosts.
Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, meanwhile, has made two changes from the team that lost at Wigan Athletic, with Rudy Austin and Souleymane Doukara coming into the side in place of Michael Tonge and Billy Sharp. Tonight is also a landmark match for Sam Byram, who makes his 100th appearance for the club.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Derby have won three of the last five matches, with Leeds also picking up one win and the further match ending in a draw. The corresponding match last season ended in a 3-1 home win, before Derby picked up a point at Elland Road in March.
The two teams have also already met this season and it was Leeds that came out on top with a 2-0 win. That victory for Leeds was their first over Derby in 11 attempts, but Derby are currently unbeaten in seven home league games against their opponents tonight – winning six times in the process.
On Boxing Day, Derby were 4-0 winners at Birmingham City, with that success ending a run of three games without a victory. As it stands, the Rams sit fourth in the table on 42 points, but would move second with a win here. It is Bournemouth that currently lead the way on 48 points from 24 games.
Derby's home form this season has been very strong, with six wins and just one defeat from their 11 matches. Leeds, meanwhile, have the second-worst away record in the league having won just one of their 11 on their travels – losing seven times in the process. Will that poor run end tonight?
Leeds will enter the match in 20th position in the table. They are just four points off the relegation zone and have not won in the league since beating Derby at the end of November. On Boxing Day, the strugglers lost 2-0 at home to Wigan Athletic, who themselves are in the relegation zone.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to make a case for Leeds this evening. They have been poor on the road this season, while Derby have been strong on their own patch. I am not expecting a complete walkover, but Derby should have enough to claim a 2-0 win.
Tonight is the 100th league meeting between the two sides. Let's hope for a match full of goals at Pride Park. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, which is not much of a surprise. The referee has been busy in the opening moments here following a couple of late challenges.
BOOKING! Hendrick (Derby) is booked just one minute in for a rash challenge on Doukara.
The home side have started to find their feet in the early moments, with Ibe and Russell threatening in wide areas. Christie is down the right moments later, but Warnock comes across to make the challenge. All the signs are good that we are going to have an entertaining affair here.
Warnock does not look comfortable here following that lunge on Christie...
... this could well be the end of Warnock's evening, just five minutes in.
The resulting corner is eventually delivered into the Leeds box, but the danger is cleared at the near post. All the pressure is coming from the hosts as Leeds struggle to gain a foothold.
Decent period of possession for Leeds as they manage to fight off a period of Derby pressure. Austin eventually has a strike from just outside the box, but Buxton makes the block.
SUB! Leeds are indeed forced into a change as Warnock is replaced by Beradi. It looked a nasty one for the Leeds skipper and that is a big blow at this stage.
Half-chance for the home side as Ibe finds some space down the left before driving a low cross into the Leeds box, but Silvestri is on hand to collect at the near post. Leeds break down the other end moments later, but Keogh is across to clear and Derby regain control of the possession.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Leeds have started to settle in possession of the ball. Ibe remains the main outlet for the home side here.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, but Hendrick remains the only name in the book. All the pressure is coming from Derby, but the visitors have taken up a solid defensive shape at Pride Park.
Leeds are working hard to keep Derby at bay, but the pressure is rising as Martin becomes more involved in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital here. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock in this Championship clash.
Half-chance for the home side as Martin strikes one towards goal following a mix-up inside the Leeds box, but Cooper is on hand to make the block and the danger is cleared.
Christie takes matters into his own hands after finding some space outside the box, but the right-back's effort was always moving high and wide of Silvestri's crossbar.
First sight of goal for Leeds as Doukara finds Antenucci with a through pass, but his effort is wide of the post. Better from the visitors, who will be pleased with their start to this match.
There are three Championship matches in total this evening and all three are currently goalless. In truth, there has not really been any guilt-edged chances in this match, with Leeds doing well to contain the Derby threat. Antenucci, meanwhile, has looked lively for the away side.
Ibe remains the main threat for the home side, but Cook has matched his fellow youngster on a number of occasions down the left. Leeds continue to threaten on the counter, but that final pass is just not there for the away side. It is an even match at the moment, with Derby's level dropping.
Cooper appears to have a problem for Leeds after clashing with Martin in the Leeds half. The last thing the away side need is another defensive injury at this stage of the match.
Derby continue to work the ball into wide areas, but they have found it difficult to really threaten thus far. Cook drives through the Derby midfield moments later, but the Leeds youngster is challenged by Eustace. It is an open match with little over 15 minutes of the first half remaining.
Bianchi tries his luck for the away side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always angling wide. Moments before, Ibe went down inside the Leeds box, but the referee was not interested. It looked a clear dive from the on-loan Liverpool youngster to be truthful.
BOOKING! Mowatt (Leeds) goes into the book for a lunge on Russell.
To be blunt, this has not been great thus far. Still no real chances for either side!
It is all a little untidy at the moment, with both sides giving the ball away in the middle of the park. Austin dives into Martin, but the referee awards a free kick and no more.
There appears to be something brewing between Leeds forward Antenucci and Derby skipper Keogh, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings following a flash point. Still no real chances for either side, but Ibe remains a real threat for the home side down the left.
CHANCE! It's brilliant defending from Cooper as the Leeds centre-back clears a Christie cross just ahead of Martin, who looked certain to tap home from close range.
Both sets of supporters remain in good voice, but there has not been too much to get excited about this evening. Still goalless as we approach the final moments of the first period.
GOAL! Derby 1-0 Leeds (Mowatt OG)
Derby take the lead with 41 minutes on the clock as Mowatt turns into his own net following excellent wide play from Hughes. It is tough on the midfielder, but Derby are ahead!
Leeds just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Derby rank up the pressure in the latter stages of the half. The visitors really cannot afford to concede a second before the interval.
CHANCE! Derby come close to scoring a second as Keogh meets a free kick from Hughes, but Silvestri is on hand to make a brilliant save. Ibe has an effort from the resulting corner, but the Leeds stopper again remains strong. Derby are running riot here.
We are into the second of three added minutes at the end of the half.
Leeds will welcome the half-time interval as the pressure continues from the home side. However, the visitors will be encouraged by their overall first-half performance here.
HALF-TIME: Derby 1-0 Leeds
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Derby leading 1-0 courtesy of an own-goal from Mowatt. The home side have dominated the possession, but it has been a half of few clear-cut chances. Can Leeds respond from the one-goal deficit after the break?
STATS! Derby have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. Leeds, meanwhile, have failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts. There have also been two bookings in a feisty first period.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Simon Dawkins, Paul Coutts and Leon Best. Leeds, meanwhile, have the likes of Billy Sharp, Adryan and Brian Montenegro in reserve. However, the visitors have already been forced into one change, with Berardi replacing the skipper Warnock after just nine minutes.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Leeds respond at the iPro Stadium? It is the home side get the second period underway here.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will consider changes if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. it has been a positive start to the second 45 minutes from the hosts.
GOAL! Derby 2-0 Leeds (Buxton)
Derby double their lead as Buxton heads a Hendrick free kick into the back of the net. It was a brilliant finish from the centre-back, who angled his effort into the top corner.
BOOKING! Cooper (Leeds) is booked for a poor challenge on Eustace.
Leeds just need to be a little bit careful here as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park. It is a long way back for the away side, who are struggling to keep the ball.
Derby are full of beans at the moment as Russell drives down the right before delivering towards the near post, but Austin is on hand to make the block. Leeds attempt to break moments later, but Ibe is back performing his defensive work, before testing Silvestri from outside the box.
Derby again threaten as Hendrick finds some space inside the box before sliding a pass into Martin, but Cooper is across to challenge at the vital moment. Hughes has a strike from outside the box moments later, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Decent spell for the away side in possession of the ball, but they are finding it difficult to really threaten. Antenucci collects a through pass from Austin, but the striker cannot move away from Keogh. Little over 30 minutes of this Championship clash remaining and the score sits at 2-0 Derby.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Martin to score a third for the home side after the tall striker met a cross from Forsyth, but his header was wide of the post.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Leeds this time as Antenucci is first to react inside a crowded box, but his low effort is blocked by two defenders. The Italian has looked the most likely for the visitors this evening. A goal for Leeds would certainly change the mood here.
Half-chance for Martin as the Derby forward finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Leeds goalkeeper. Chances at either end here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with both sides guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third. Little over 25 minutes to play.
SUB! Leeds make their first change as Sharp replaces Doukara.
Ipswich are currently beating Charlton 2-0, which would be enough to move Mick McCarthy's side into second place in the table. As a result, Derby would sit third at the end of play should both sides win. Ibe has another half-chance for the hosts, but his flicked header fails to test Silvestri.
Sharp's first involvement arrives as the striker meets a cross from Cook, but his header was always dropping into the arms of Grant, who has coasted through this match. Derby still lead 2-0 with little under 20 minutes remaining. Is there to be more goals at the iPro Stadium?
Still no movement on the home side's bench, which is a bit of a surprise at this stage of the match. There are some tired legs on the field as we approach the final 15 minutes. Leeds have done well to close their defensive gaps, but the visitors have really struggled in attack this evening.
It is almost like a pre-season match at the moment, with the tempo dropping to such an extent that the atmosphere has also dropped. Neither side is too interested in attacking as it stands.
Christie embarks on a powerful, direct run for the home side, but the right-back loses his composure just inside the Leeds box and the danger is cleared. Derby continue to force the issue as Martin comes deep before finding Russell, but Byram shuffles across to make the clearance.
Derby have a free kick just outside the box as Cooper fells Hendrick...
... Russell takes the set piece, but his effort curls high and wide of the crossbar.
SUB! Leeds make their second change as Adryan replaces Bianchi.
SUB! Derby make their first change as Bryson replaces Hendrick.
Half-chance for the home side as Martin turns on the edge of the box before firing towards the bottom corner, but the Leeds stopper is on hand to push the ball to safety.
Derby are in the mood for more goals in the final stages as they continue to throw numbers into the final third, but the latest attack breaks down when Christie fails to beat the near post with a cross. Leeds are down the other end with Cook moments later, but the teenager fells Buxton.
Little under five minutes of football remaining and Leeds have a free kick in a dangerous position as Forsyth brings Cook to the ground. Can the away side find a late goal?
Mowatt delivers the resulting free kick, but Buxton is first on the scene to head clear.
BOOKING! Bellusci (Leeds) is booked for a lunge on Martin.
SUB! The home side make their second change as Dawkins replaces Ibe.
Half-chance for the away side as Antenucci finds some space inside the Derby box, but his effort is blocked by Buxton. We are into the first of three added minutes here.
Austin tries the spectacular from a free kick just inside the Derby half, but his effort is high and wide. That sums up Leeds' evening it must be said. They have not been at it tonight.
SUB! Derby make their third change as Coutts replaces Russell.
BOOKING! Austin (Leeds) is booked for a heavy challenge on Hughes.
FULL-TIME: Derby 2-0 Leeds
So there we have it. Derby continue their strong home form with a 2-0 win over Leeds, who will end 2014 just outside the relegation zone in the Championship. The home side, meanwhile, have moved into third. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
