Leeds United 2-0 Derby County

Mirco Antenucci now has seven goals since joining Leeds from Italian Serie B side Ternana in the summer

Mirco Antenucci's brace helped Leeds beat a Derby side who remain top of the Championship by a point.

Antenucci gave the hosts, who had won one of their previous 10, the lead just before the break, slotting home Alex Mowatt's cut-back from 12 yards out.

And, after a one-two between Stephen Warnock and Adryan, Antenucci tucked in a delivery from the former for 2-0.

Derby debutant Kwame Thomas blazed his side's best chance over from close in as their three-match winning run ended.

Leeds were good value for their win, stopping Steve McClaren's side from playing early on before imposing themselves on the game.

The visitors struggled to cope with the hosts' physicality, but are still top of the league and a point above Ipswich and Brentford.

The away side had the first chance of the game after five minutes when Jordan Ibe created space for Jeff Hendrick but he dragged a 20-yard effort wide.

Leeds grew into the game, seeing the influential Antenucci twice striking over the bar in quick succession before he gave his side a half-time lead.

The hosts doubled the lead through Antenucci five minutes after the break after excellent worth down the left, but saw Rams midfielder Omar Mascarell hit a free-kick on the edge of the area straight into the wall.

McClaren made a triple substitution in a bid to turn the match on its head, bringing on Craig Bryson, Simon Dawkins and Thomas.

But Antenucci came close to notching a hat-trick, first forcing a fine save from Lee Grant before later cutting inside the box and striking just inches over the crossbar.

Derby should have at least scored a consolation when Bryson broke through, tried to square to Chris Martin but Warnock tackled back well and Thomas smashed over the loose ball, as the Rams succumbed to defeat.

Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn:

"I thought we were excellent, they are a top side, you can see that. They caused us problems and it was a great game with two sides trying to play football. The finishing was out of the top drawer.

"To me this is part of the progression. I think we have been playing well and have played well in games and not got what we've deserved. Today we did and the more we put these performances in the better we will get."

Derby manager Steve McClaren:

"It's just one of them days, a bad day at the office. We were below our best and when you're not at your best, you can be beaten.

"In Antenucci, Leeds had someone who did what we couldn't. On another day we could have scored three or four, but we could have been here until midnight and not scored.

"I said before the game that if we were below our best this Leeds team could hurt us."