Leeds end Sheffield United's unbeaten start

Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph struck second-half goals to secure Leeds a 2-0 Yorkshire derby win and consign Sheffield United to their first defeat of the season.

Leeds skipper Struijk scored the first league goal conceded by the Blades in seven matches and substitute Joseph added a late second.

Daniel Farke's side leap-frogged the visitors into second place in the Sky Bet Championship table and extended their unbeaten league run to five matches.

Blades boss Chris Wilder has quickly reinvigorated the South Yorkshire club following their miserable season in the Premier League and they looked on course to frustrate their hosts and eke out a vital point.

But Struijk’s goal gave Leeds a deserved lead on the balance of play at Elland Road, while Joseph’s effort was only the fifth league goal the visitors have conceded this season.

Tributes were paid before kick-off to former Blades defender George Baldock, who died at his home in Greece last week aged 31.

A minute’s silence was spontaneously turned into a minute’s applause by both home and away fans, while the players wore black armbands.

Leeds began to find their rhythm midway through the first half and Largie Ramazani twice threatened to give the home side what would have been a deserved lead.

The forward struck the outside of a post from a tight angle and then forced Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper into a brilliant low save.

Brenden Aaronson, who was in action for the USA on Wednesday, pulled his effort off target and Willy Gnonto, who played in the 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s on Tuesday, was crowded out when inadvertently played in by Blades striker Kieffer Moore.

Aaronson then volleyed Junior Firpo’s cross over the bar as Leeds finished the first half on