Frank Lampard suggested that the better team won as Leeds United extended their lead at the top of the Championship.
Leeds extended their lead at the top of the Championship as goals from Kemar Roofe and Jack Harrison either side of the break helped the Whites to a 2-0 victory that they desperately needed after three defeats in a row.
It was also the kind of performance that could help Leeds put some of the pre-match controversy behind them as the Whites dominated and arguably should have had a penalty in either half. And while there will undoubtedly be a lot more said before ‘Spygate’ is put to bed, Lampard conceded that he can have no complaints about the result.
“Best team won without a doubt,” he told Sky Sports. “No excuses. They were better than us from first minute til last. Definitely below the standards that we’ve set in terms of energy, mainly on the ball. We didn’t have the courage to play against a team that work hard to stop you playing. But we have to keep playing.”
It was a superb performance from the home side. Derby rarely looked like getting back into the game, even during the period of the second-half where the Rams played some better football and pushed Leeds back.
It was a real statement for Leeds. The win, and the manner in which it came, has quashed any talk of a mid-season blip and certainly put Marcelo Bielsa’s men back on track.
Some will argue that the win is tainted. But Leeds’ display suggested that any off-field controversy is not going to derail their promotion push.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
