Derby County Under-21s fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat in a battling Premier League 2 contest against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.
Alex Stepien-Iwumene gave Derby the lead with a volley at the far post just after the half-hour mark and the Rams thought they’d doubled their lead through Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu in the second half, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Leeds striker Harry Gray equalised after a quick attack moments later and he claimed his and the visitors’ second goal of the game to complete a turnaround in the second half and take maximum points.
Jake Buxton’s side came into the fixture following draws against Blackburn Rovers and East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest in previous two fixtures in the league, with the loss being their first in Premier League 2 in 2025.
Key Moments
After a slow start, both sides’ first opportunities came in quick succession. First it was Derby's Lennon Wheeldon who came close and forced a save from Leeds goalkeeper Rory Mahady from close range.
Leeds’ Gray had an attempt on target moments later - he was denied by Rams shot-stopper Harry Evans who got down low to retrieve the ball after interplay between Gray and Rhys Chadwick saw the visitors have several shots blocked in the penalty area.
Evans had to be alert again in the 22nd minute as a powerful strike from distance by winger Brooklyn Nfonkeu stung the goalkeeper’s palms as he made the save.
Stepien-Iwumene fired Derby into the lead in the 32nd minute as he latched onto a delivery into a packed penalty area at the far post and got his leg high to steer the ball into the back of the net.
Derby's Tristan Gill won a free-kick on the left wing as he did well to force the foul in the 43rd minute. The defender took the set-piece himself and sent a curling effort on target that forced a strong reaction save from Mahady.
Striker Wheeldon had an early chance in the second period when a give-and-go with Jack Perry found him one-on-one with the Leeds goalkeeper, but Mahady got off his line quickly and blocked the young striker’s attempt on goal.
Substitute Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu thought he had doubled the Rams’ advantage in the 62nd minute as he guided the ball towards goal from close range, but a goal-line clearance denied him before midfielder Freddie Turley’s effort on the rebound fired wide.
Leeds hit back just two minutes later as a sharp attack saw Gray finish well with an effort towards the near post that evaded Evans in Derby’s goal to level the game.
Ebuka Agbawodikeizu looked to be in behind in the 73rd minute as he jostled with a defender to fashion a shooting opportunity, but his marker did well to put the Derby striker off balance as he shot to send the ball wide of the mark.
Gray was on target once again for Leeds in the 83rd minute as another swift move from the visitors saw them take the lead for the first time.
Derby worked for an opportunity to level the match but came up against a solid defence in the final knockings.
Ebuka Agbawodikeizu came near twice in added time as he headed close in the 90th minute and struck a right-footed effort into the palms of the goalkeeper in the final minute of added time, but Leeds held on to take the points.
Derby’s Under-21s will return to action against Mansfield Town on Wednesday 19th February in The Central League (12pm kick-off). Their next Premier League 2 outing comes on Monday 24th February when they go head-to-head with Leicester City at the Foxes’ training ground (7pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK) (C), Bartley, Moloney, D Robinson, Osayande, Gill (Gordon 67), Perry, Turley, Wheeldon, Agustien (Ebuka Agbawodikeizu 56), Stepien-Iwumene (Richards 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Green.
