Leeds United staged a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park on January 11, 2026, booking their place in the FA Cup fourth round and sending a message that the magic of the cup is alive and well. With a display full of grit, clinical finishing, and late drama, Daniel Farke’s men overcame a first-half deficit, silenced the home crowd, and reminded everyone why knockout football remains so unpredictable.
Heading into the match, much of the talk centered on Leeds United’s priorities. Sitting just eight points above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th place, Farke made no fewer than eight changes to his starting lineup, resting several regulars, including the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The gamble seemed risky, especially against a Derby County side sitting 13th in the Championship and eager to pounce on any Premier League complacency.
The opening exchanges were tense, with both sides probing but unable to carve out clear chances. Leeds’ first real opportunity came when Joel Piroe rattled the post from a tight angle, offering a glimpse of the visitors’ attacking intent. Yet, Derby’s discipline and organization, hallmarks of John Eustace’s tenure, kept the Premier League side largely at bay for the first half-hour.
Then, the drama truly began to unfold. Leeds were awarded a penalty after Lukas Nmecha was brought down by Derby’s goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom as he surged into the box. Piroe stepped up, only to see Zetterstrom produce a superb diving save to his right, denying Leeds the opener and sending the home fans into raptures. Just two minutes and twenty seconds later, the mood swung again. Ben Brereton Diaz, ever the opportunist, latched onto a loose ball and fired a low first-time shot past Karl Darlow, giving Derby a 1-0 lead and the hope of an upset.
As halftime approached, the atmosphere at Pride Park was electric. The home side looked comfortable, and Leeds’ makeshift lineup seemed to be running out of ideas. But as any seasoned cup watcher knows, things can change in an instant—and they did.
Leeds emerged from the tunnel with renewed purpose after the break. The visitors began to control possession, pushing Derby deeper and deeper. The equalizer finally arrived after persistent pressure: Wilfried Gnonto, ending a 14-game goal drought, blasted home a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Jaka Bijol. The away supporters erupted, their faith in the team’s resilience rewarded at last.
Before Derby could regroup, Leeds struck again. Just minutes after Gnonto’s leveller, Ao Tanaka pounced at the back post, slotting home a right-footed effort after Zetterstrom had parried Piroe’s initial goal-bound attempt. In the blink of an eye, Leeds had turned the game on its head, demonstrating a clinical edge that had eluded them earlier in the season.
“We knew we had to stay patient and keep pushing,” Gnonto said after the match, according to VAVEL. “It was a tough first half, but the manager told us to believe and take our chances. Once the first goal went in, we felt the momentum shift.”
From there, the match grew increasingly frantic. Derby, spurred on by their fans, pressed for an equalizer, with Corey Blackett-Taylor and Jack Harrison both going close. Fouls became more frequent as the stakes rose, and substitutions on both sides injected fresh legs and tactical wrinkles. Leeds, meanwhile, looked to exploit spaces on the counter, with Nmecha and Piroe both testing Derby’s backline.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Derby threw everything forward in search of a dramatic late goal. But Leeds’ defense, marshaled by Darlow and buoyed by the earlier heroics of Zetterstrom in goal, held firm. Then, with Derby stretched and vulnerable, Leeds struck the decisive blow. James Justin, surging forward on a counter-attack, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from the center of the box, beating Zetterstrom and sealing the 3-1 victory in the 93rd minute.
“Justin’s goal was the moment we could finally breathe,” Farke admitted post-match. “It was a fantastic counter, and I’m proud of how the boys responded to going behind. We made changes, but everyone stepped up.”
For Derby, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. They had looked the better side in the first half, controlling possession and creating several chances. Brereton Diaz’s opener had given them hope, but they struggled to cope with Leeds’ intensity after the break. The defeat ends their FA Cup journey for another year, but Eustace will take heart from the fight his side showed against top-flight opposition.
Leeds, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the character and composure shown by a rotated squad. The victory not only keeps their cup dreams alive but could also inject much-needed confidence into their league campaign. The away fans, vocal throughout, will travel home dreaming of a deep run in the competition—and perhaps even more giant-killing exploits to come.
This fixture also added another chapter to the long and storied rivalry between the two clubs. Having faced each other 43 times prior, with Leeds holding a narrow edge in victories, this latest encounter was a reminder of the unpredictable drama the FA Cup can deliver. The win also offered Leeds a measure of revenge, having seen Derby enjoy better recent form in the head-to-head record.
As the FA Cup fourth round beckons, attention will turn to the draw and the possibility of another memorable night. For now, though, Leeds United can savor a comeback that showcased their depth, determination, and a little bit of cup magic. Derby County, meanwhile, will regroup and focus on climbing the Championship table, their cup adventure over but their season far from finished.
With the final whistle blown at Pride Park, Leeds’ fans sang into the chilly January air, their team’s resilience and late heroics ensuring that, for at least one more round, their FA Cup journey continues.
