DANIEL Farke’s rotation policy for the FA Cup third round tie at Derby County paid off with a 3-1 win at Pride Park.
The Leeds United manager, whose priority is Premier League survival, made eight changes from the side which lost in the midweek thriller and threw in a tactical surprise by playing skipper Ethan Ampadu as a left-sided centre-back.
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It took time for the new combination to click and the Rams took the lead shortly after United missed a 32nd-minute penalty.
However, once the visitors struck with a couple of goals shortly after the interval it was plain sailing for the Whites who sealed the deal with a third in added on time.
Derby matched Leeds in the early stages with left-winger Cory Blackett-Taylor causing Sebastiaan Bornauw plenty of problems.
It was from that flank that the Championship side went ahead as Leeds failed to clear and Ben Brereton-Diaz drilled a first-time low drive past Karl Darlow.
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The goal came just as Leeds were gaining the ascendancy, Joel Piroe striking an upright before missing a penalty after goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom brought down Lukas Nmecha.
The Swede redeemed himself with a fine save to deny Piroe from the spot, one of his many good stops as Leeds got a grip on proceedings in the second half.
With James Justin on for the injured Bornauw, Leeds nullified the Blackett-Taylor’s danger and midfielder Ao Tanaka began to run the show.
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Ten minutes into the second period centre-back Jaka Bijol drove forward and his pass, cleverly left by Piroe, was thumped in by Willy Gnonto.
Four minutes later the impressive Zetterstrom denied Piroe with a sprawling save but Tanaka gobbled up the loose ball at the back post.
Once ahead Leeds didn’t look in any great trouble and Farke was able to send on Sean Longstaff for his return from injury sustained in November to help see the game out.
John Eustace’s side were never really able to get up a head of steam and Leeds broketo devasting effect in additional time.
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Longstaff released Nmecha down the left and he curled a cross-field pass into the path of the supporting Justin who scored his first Leeds goal to cap a fine personal performance after coming off the bench.
Both Tanaka and Gnonto shone in rare starts for Leeds, while Ampadu and Bijol were solid in defence.
Farke said: “We had to rotate a bit today. They had no midweek game. I think we needed 20 minutes to adapt to their aggressiveness and once we accepted it and were ready for the battles and duels our quality was shining through.
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“If you miss this amount of chances, a penalty, hit the post and they score from one situation it’s always tricky. It was important to not run into counters, keep going with the same processes. I said stay cool, the goals will come and they were taken in an excellent way. It was a very mature second half, well deserved.”