Shared spoils, two goals and the derby that fell short

The expectations were high ahead of the derby clash between the two Uniteds - Leeds and Manchester - the first at Elland Road since February 2023. Still, the fans got a fighting game that lacked good moves and excitement, as the rivals spent most of the time "in the trenches", shining only occasionally - 1-1.

Matheus Cunha's disallowed goal, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header that hit the post, and Leny Yoro's dangerous header marked the opening half. And if you think it's way too little for a derby, the second period was even less interesting.

Truth be told, we've seen two goals in three minutes - Brenden Aaronson's 62nd-minute opener and Cunha's equalizer, and when everyone expected more fireworks until the end, the rivals returned to the trenches in the last half an hour, failing to do anything notable.

After the goalless first half at Elland Road, the impression is that the crowd expected to see more good football.

The number of chances was decent - two for Man United and one for Leeds, but there were little nice moves, as the rivals spent the most of the opening half fighting "in the trenches", though no one expected such a turn of events after Matheus Cunha in the eighth minute found the net with a fantastic volley, but his goal did not stand for offside.

Following a prolonged "snoozefest", Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended it in the 35th minute, hitting the post, after latching onto an ideal cross from the right flank with an excellent header.

Five minutes later, Leny Yoro's header after a corner kick went on target, dangerously challenging Leeds' custodian Lucas Perri, who passed the test by deflecting the ball over the bar.

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During the opening quarter of an hour of the second period, the Red Devils' goalie, Senne Lammens, had to react a couple of times, as the home crew came out of the locker room in better spirits than Ruben Amorim's men.

And it finally paid off in the 62nd minute, when the packed Elland Road exploded, as the Whites broke the deadlock!

Pascal Struijk sent a seemingly hopeless long ball forward, but United's gem Ayden Heaven reacted terribly, allowed Brenden Aaronson to run past him, and open the scoring with a ruthless finish.

Yet, the home crew's joy lasted for only three minutes, as Cunha this time scored for real, exploiting a nice pass by Joshua Zirkzee, who came off the bench just a minute earlier. The fireworks had started, and there was a half an hour left to play!

The visitors' quick leveller did not dishearten Leeds, as Struijk shortly after forced Lammens to make a superb save. Benjamin Sesko responded in the 74th minute, firing the ball wide of the right post from close range.

Nine minutes before the end, Cunha hit the post from the edge of the box, marking the last opportunity at Elland Road today.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 20

Saturday

Aston Villa - Nott.Forest 3-1 (1-0)

/Watkins 45+1, McGinn 49, 73 - Gibbs-White 61/

Brighton - Burnley 2-0 (1-0)

/Rutter 29, Ayari 47/

Wolverhampton - West Ham 3-0 (3-0)

/Arias 4, Hwang 31 pen, Mane 41/

Bournemouth - Arsenal 2-3 (1-1)

/Evanilson 10, Kroupi 76 - Gabriel 16, Rice 54, 71/

Sunday

Leeds - Manchester United 1-1 (0-0)

/Aaronson 62 - Cunha 65/

18.00: (2.40) Everton (3.30) Brentford (3.25)

18.00: (3.80) Fulham (3.50) Liverpool (2.00)

18.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.60) Crystal Palace (5.30)

18.00: (1.85) Tottenham (3.60) Sunderland (4.80)

20.30: (1.65) Man.City (4.20) Chelsea (5.60)

***odds are subject to change***