Leeds beat Derby County again on Saturday, for the third time this season, and while the margin of victory was the slimmest it’s been, this was by far the most important victory so far.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men now have a one-goal lead to take to Elland Road on Wednesday and are overwhelming favourites to reach the final.
Bielsa was forced into a change early on at Pride Park, with young Jamie Shackleton coming on for Adam Forshaw after the midfielder was forced off through injury in the 24th minute.
BBC journalist Adam Pope said that considering Pontus Jansson was out and that Forshaw picked up an injury, the performance from Leeds was “immense”.
He went on to say that Shackleton was “superb” and that he “scared Derby to death at times”.
Considering Jansson our & then Forshaw picking up injury that is an immense performance. Shackleton superb – scared Derby to death at times. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) May 11, 2019
OPINION
Leeds fans have been calling for Jamie Shackleton to play all season and he proved why in a standout display at Pride Park. Called on in the first-half, after Forshaw was injured, Shackleton put in a display way beyond his years. He got plaudits from everyone, with Phil Hay giving him a 9/10 rating in the Yorkshire Evening Post. He said his anticipation and intensity were superb and Shackleton certainly wasn’t overawed by the occasion in the slightest. The hope before the game was that Leeds would rise to the magnitude of the play-offs and rediscover the form that had made them big favourites for automatic promotion. They did that yesterday and we’d be amazed if Shackleton isn’t rewarded with a starting place in the side on Wednesday. Leeds have suffered massively from injuries this season but ironically, just at the right time, it might be an injury that has kick-started a run in the side for Shackleton – and he could be one of the players that help fire Leeds to the Premier League.