Brenden Aaronson has scored seven goal for Leeds United so far this season
Leeds United will end the year at the top of the Championship table after Brenden Aaronson scored a well-worked winner at Derby County.
The US international's cool finish at the end of a slick passing move was the decisive moment of an intensely-fought contest at Pride Park.
Leeds had dictated proceedings in the first half but tireless work by a well-organised Rams defence limited them to few chances – the best of which fell to Mateo Joseph, who forced Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into the only save of the first 45 minutes.
The second half was more frenetic, with Derby's Swedish goalkeeper foiling Aaronson, Largie Ramazani and Dan James, while Illan Meslier was tested by Curtis Nelson at the other end.
Zetterstrom, however, could do nothing when Aaronson popped up in the box to slide home the winner that takes Leeds two points clear at the summit.
The last time Leeds were top of the second tier at the end of a calendar year was in 2019 – a season that ended with their promotion to the Premier League as title winners.
And in an exact repeat of five years ago, the Whites have 51 points going into January.
It was only three weeks ago that Derby were brushed aside by Leeds at Elland Road, prompting Paul Warne to describe his Rams as a "League One team with a bit of sugar on top" compared to opponents with Premier League capabilities.
But while they again came away with nothing, the manner in which Warne's mid-table side hounded the Whites when they were so thoroughly outplayed earlier in the month no doubt made it less bitter.
Warne stuck with the same side that earned victory against promotion hopefuls West Brom on Boxing Day, while Daniel Farke made four changes following their triumph at Stoke.
Two of the four to come in for Leeds combined for the first big chance of the night, with Willy Gnonto fizzing a cut-back pass to Mateo Joseph, who could only direct his close-range attempt well wide.
Leeds monopolised possession before the break but it was not until the 28th minute that Joseph forced the first save of the game, with Zetterstrom tipping a low effort around the post.
Derby's best chance of the half followed soon after, with a sliced cross from Kayden Jackson forcing goalkeeper Meslier to hastily backtrack before it dropped just wide of the far post.
Aaronson went on to wastefully thump a shot over the bar on the counter attack before the break, and Joseph did the same after the American had forced Zetterstrom into the first of a string of second-half saves.
As the game wore on, Derby grew as an attacking threat.
It took a reflex save from Meslier to deny Nelson's header from a corner, while the most acrobatic stop of the night came at the other end moments later as Zetterstrom foiled Ramazani as he snatched at a chance from close range.
Wales international James almost made a immediate impact off the bench, but he could not beat Zetterstrom when through one-on-one, but the keeper was finally beaten when Derby's defence was unpicked by a stunning team move.
Aaronson was involved more than once in a team move that ended with Manor Solomon moving the ball across the top of the box for Joel Piroe to tee the American up as he burst unchecked into the area.
Leeds will be at home to Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day, while Derby will travel to Sheffield Wednesday.
