Brenden Aaronson’s late strike ensured Leeds United finished 2024 atop the Championship table after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Derby County at Pride Park. The victory was a crucial moment in Leeds' campaign, marking a significant achievement as they topped the table at the turn of the year, their first time doing so since 2019, the year they secured promotion to the Premier League as Championship champions.
Leeds United dominated possession throughout the match but found themselves frustrated in the first half, unable to convert their dominance into goals. Despite a number of promising chances, the Whites struggled to break down Derby's defense. The best chance of the first half came in the 27th minute when Mateo Joseph’s shot was on target, only for Derby's goalkeeper, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, to make a well-timed save and keep the game scoreless.
The second half saw Leeds continue to press for a goal, with more efforts on goal coming from Brenden Aaronson, Largie Ramazani, and Dan James. Zetterstrom was once again forced into action, producing crucial saves to keep Derby’s hopes alive. Leeds’ frustration grew as they piled on the pressure, yet the breakthrough seemed elusive.
Then, in the 79th minute, Leeds finally broke the deadlock. Substitute Joel Piroe, who had made an immediate impact after coming on, played a perfectly timed assist to Aaronson. The American midfielder, calm and composed, slotted the ball past Zetterstrom to give Leeds the lead. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the traveling Leeds supporters, and the team held on for the remainder of the match to secure the three points.
This victory marked Leeds’ third consecutive away win against Derby County, a run that hasn’t been seen since between 1954 and 1960. It was also an important step for the team in their pursuit of promotion, as it allowed them to finish the year on top of the Championship table. With the win, Leeds ended the year in strong form, keeping their place at the summit and setting a strong foundation for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Burnley’s 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough added an unexpected twist to the promotion battle. Burnley had an opportunity to move into automatic promotion spots with a win, as Sheffield United had drawn their own match with West Brom. However, Burnley failed to capitalize on the chance and remain in third place.
The match itself saw little action in the first half, with both teams unable to break the deadlock. However, the second half came to life when Finn Azaz forced Burnley’s goalkeeper, James Trafford, into a smart save. Burnley’s Josh Brownhill then had two golden opportunities to secure the win, but both chances were either cleared off the line or missed from close range. Brownhill’s frustration was evident as he failed to convert the second chance, which was shot over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
This result has been a setback for Burnley, who have now gone five games without a win in the Championship, with only one victory in their last six matches. Michael Carrick's side has struggled for consistency, with the draw against Middlesbrough adding to their recent run of disappointing results. The missed opportunity to move into second place means Burnley must now regroup and focus on improving their form as they look to remain in contention for automatic promotion.
As the year ends, the Championship race remains incredibly tight, with Leeds United in a strong position at the top. Their resilience in securing the win over Derby shows their determination, while Burnley will be looking to bounce back after another missed opportunity. With both teams vying for promotion, 2025 promises to bring more twists and turns in this thrilling race to the Premier League.
