Sat 10 Jan - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Derby County begin their Emirates FA Cup journey on Sunday, welcoming Premier League side Leeds United to Pride Park Stadium (12pm kick-off).
Entering at the Third Round stage, the Rams have beaten Premier League opponents at this point of the competition on three successive occasions, knocking out Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion in the past decade.
John Eustace’s side know they will face stern opposition this weekend, however. Prior to Wednesday's last-gasp loss at Newcastle United, Leeds were undefeated in seven matches across December and the New Year, their longest top-flight unbeaten streak in 25 years.
The Whites earned victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, as well as points against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Sunderland, steering Daniel Farke’s men eight points clear of the relegation places.
These two sides last met in the Third Round in January 1996. Two goals in as many minutes from Marco Gabbiadini and Paul Simpson put Derby in front, before a strong Leeds side mounted a comeback – winning 4-2 thanks to late strikes by Gary McAllister and Tony Yeboah after Gary Speed and Brian Deane had drawn them level.
Tickets for Sunday’s match are still available and can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person from the Ticket Office at Pride Park.
Supporters are urged to secure their seats in advance to avoid the matchday price increase.
For full ticket details, head to tickets.dcfc.co.uk.
Ahead of Leeds’ visit, Head Coach John Eustace told RamsTV he’s expecting a ‘special’ cup tie at Pride Park Stadium.
Following 12 weeks on the sidelines, Lewis Travis also caught up with Rams TV, with the midfielder ‘buzzing’ to be back out there with the Rams.
After experiencing Wembley heartbreak in his first season in charge, Daniel Farke’s side roared back to win the Sky Bet Championship title last term, collecting 100 points along the way.
Leeds have had a solid return to the top flight since. Summer signing Lukas Nmecha came off the bench to score a late winner from the spot to down Everton on the opening day, getting the Whites’ campaign off to the dream start.
October and November’s form – one win and six defeats in seven league matches – created question marks over their credentials but the response was emphatic.
Buoyed by the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular – with the former Everton striker scoring seven times in eight games – Leeds rallied to register their best unbeaten run in the Premier League for a quarter of a century.
The Whites beat Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Elland Road, while they earned draws home and away against reigning champions Liverpool, plus further points against top-half sides in Brentford, Manchester United and Sunderland.
The form of United States international Brenden Aaronson has also done plenty to excite the Leeds supporters, with the attacking midfielder netting three times in his last two games. Like Calvert-Lewin, he’ll be one for the Derby defence to be mindful of this weekend.
There are plentiful connections between the two sides, including a couple of current links in the form of Leeds United defender Jayden Bogle and Derby County Under-18s boss Bradley Johnson.
After graduating through the Derby Academy, Bogle made his senior debut under Frank Lampard in a 2–0 EFL Cup win at Oldham Athletic during the 2018/19 campaign. He went on to make 90 appearances for the Rams - scoring on three occasions - before making the transfer to Premier League side Sheffield United in September 2020.
Following four seasons with the Blades, the right-sided defender made Elland Road his new home. It proved a successful switch, with Bogle recording six goals and four assists en route to helping Leeds lift the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship title. He was also named in the Championship Team of the Season for his performances.
Now Derby’s Lead Under-18 Coach, Bradley Johnson started his youth career with Arsenal before joining Leeds in January 2008. He featured 140 times for the Whites, scoring 17 goals, including the club’s 2010/11 Goal of the Season for his FA Cup Third Round replay strike against Arsenal.
With a stint at Norwich City in between, Johnson made the move to Pride Park on Deadline Day in 2015 for a then club-record fee. He scored his first Rams goal later that month in a 3-1 win over MK Dons, playing a total of 140 games in black and white across four seasons before departing for Blackburn Rovers.
Another Johnson to represent both clubs, one-time England midfielder Seth played 143 times across his two spells with Derby. He first became a Ram in the summer of 1999 - joining from Crewe Alexandra – earning a call-up to Kevin Keegan’s England squad for a meeting with Italy in November 2000.
After 78 games in black and white, Johnson made a £7 million move to Leeds in October 2001. He was limited to 59 appearances in four years after being plagued by a series of injuries, and subsequently re-joined Derby in 2005.
His final career appearance helped the Rams earn promotion to the Premier League, starting in the 1-0 Championship Play-Off Final win at Wembley. Sadly, he was forced off with a knee injury three minutes from time and was forced to hang up his boots aged 28.
Other notable shared links include Patrick Bamford, Scott Carson, Malcolm Christie, Bobby Davison, Tony Dorigo and Rob Hulse.
Highly experienced referee Anthony Taylor will take charge of Sunday’s clash.
The 47-year-old last oversaw a Derby game during the 2018/19 season, coincidentally against Leeds, in the Rams’ famous 4-2 victory at Elland Road in the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-finals second leg.
He also refereed Derby’s Third Round replay victory over Southampton earlier that season, when Harry Wilson’s free-kick and Martyn Waghorn’s header helped the Rams come from 2-0 down to eventually win 5-3 on penalties.
Taylor has issued a total of 61 yellow cards and just a single red card across his 16 Premier League matches so far in 2025/26, while he has shown a further 21 yellows in five UEFA competition matches.
Adam Nunn and Blake Antrobus have been named as the Assistant Referees, with Darren England appointed as the Fourth Official.
Live audio commentary for all of Derby County’s first team matches in the 2025/26 season - both league and cup fixtures - is available to RamsTV Audio subscribers based both in the UK and internationally.
Information about RamsTV's Video Live Streaming and other services for this season can be found here.
Full match reaction will be available on dcfc.co.uk and the Derby County App shortly after full time, with highlights and a full match replay available from midday on Monday.
