Leeds Strike Late in Hillsborough Derby

Leeds United had the better of the derby; Sheffield Wednesday had the last word until Cristiano took it away. His 90+4-minute penalty delivered a 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory on Tuesday and sharpened the sting of a local rivalry that rarely needs encouragement.

Deyan Orachev put Leeds ahead on 12 minutes, driving a high shot towards a post from outside the box. Wednesday had to wait until the 55th minute for their response, when Javi Bernad headed low towards a post from close range. The home crowd had its answer, and the contest its balance.

Leeds had made more of the match before that late decision, registering 18 shots to Wednesday’s five and forcing seven saves from Emmanuele Ienco. But the numbers did not settle the argument. Wednesday held on after Bernad’s equaliser, only for Cristiano, introduced in the 61st minute, to convert in added time and leave the home side with nothing.

There was no shortage of recent bite between these clubs. Wednesday won 2-1 at Leeds in March last year; Leeds took the return meeting 2-0 in August. This time, Wednesday came within moments of another result to savour before their rivals snatched the points on their own ground.

For Leeds, it is a derby win earned through pressure and finished with nerve. For Wednesday, the frustration will be acute: they had recovered from an early setback, but could not keep their neighbours out until the final whistle.