Leeds United avoided an FA Cup shock as a strong second-half response carried them past Championship side Derby County and into the fourth round.
Derby looked on course to cause an upset after Ben Brereton Diaz gave the hosts a first-half lead, but Leeds turned the tie around shortly after the interval.
Goals from Wilfried Gnonto and Ao Tanaka inside four minutes swung the momentum firmly in the Premier League side’s favour, before James Justin sealed the win on the counter-attack in stoppage time.
The match was slow to spark, with little of note until Joel Piroe struck the post from a tight angle to register Leeds’ first meaningful effort.
That chance lifted the visitors, who were soon handed a penalty when Lukas Nmecha was fouled by goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The Derby keeper redeemed himself by diving to save Piroe’s spot-kick, and within minutes Brereton Diaz punished Leeds by firing Derby ahead with a low first-time finish.
Leeds emerged with greater purpose after the break and were rewarded.
Gnonto rifled home the equaliser from close range before Tanaka reacted quickest at the back post to turn the game on its head.
Zetterstrom kept Derby in contention with a series of saves as Leeds pushed for breathing space, but Justin finally broke clear late on to end any doubt and book Leeds’ place in the next round.
With Premier League survival the priority, Daniel Farke rotated heavily, making eight changes from midweek.
The reshuffle contributed to a disjointed first half, and Leeds were nearly left to rue missed chances and a saved penalty.
However, their quality showed after the interval.
Gnonto’s first goal in 14 appearances sparked the comeback, while Tanaka’s alert finish underlined Leeds’ sharpness in key moments.
After the disappointment of a late defeat at Newcastle in midweek, this assured second-half display offered encouragement that Farke’s side have the depth and resilience to juggle league and cup commitments.
