Leeds United 1 Derby County 2: We contributed to our downfall admits Grayson as Leeds slip up

The Liverpool legend has, in his role as a pundit on Match of the Day, become renowned for mercilessly exposing a team's shortcomings and failings.

"Terrible defending" is the phrase that has become most synonymous with Hansen, whose analysis both during and after a game tends to focus on how a goal could have been avoided as opposed to recognising an impressive attacking move.

In that respect, Hansen would, had he and not Lee Dixon been part of the BBC's live broadcast team on Saturday at Elland Road, have sounded like a stuck record.

Not only were all three goals – Rob Hulse and Kris Commons netting for Derby either side of Luciano Becchio's 13th minute strike – wholly unavoidable with misplaced passes, poor decision-making and players simply going AWOL all playing a part.

But the plethora of chances fashioned throughout an admittedly absorbing contest also owed a huge debt to the type of basic errors that leave Hansen apoplectic on a Saturday evening.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson, while stressing the positives that saw his side twice strike the woodwork and have a header by Neill Collins cleared off the line, admitted that much of the damage had been self-inflicted.

He said: "I feel we contributed to our own downfall. The first goal was a result of a bad decision, the ball being played into an area that was congested.

"The second goal was quiet similar. It means there are negatives that we need to work on, though there were also some good points as well.

"We caused them a few problems, and I am optimistic about what we can achieve this season."

As valid as Grayson's assessment is of his side's attacking play on United's return to the Championship, it was also apparent how badly his side lack a genuine defensive midfielder capable of breaking up opposition attacks.

With Michael Doyle having returned to Coventry City during the summer and the bid to prise Nick Montgomery away from Sheffield United having failed, United opted for a central midfield three of Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson.

None of the trio can claim his biggest quality is as a stopper, something the Rams – and Commons, in particular – exposed time and time again.

Having no protective barrier in front of the back four was a major factor in not only both of Derby's goals but also Kasper Schmeichel having such a hectic debut in the home goal.

For the game's opening goal on 13 minutes, Paul Green was afforded far too much space once he had dispossessed Howson in the centre circle.

It meant the former Doncaster Rovers man was able to glide forward unchallenged before picking out Rob Hulse, whose intelligent run had gone undetected by the United defence.

What happened next came as no surprise to anyone who saw Hulse lead the Elland Road attack for 16 months with his resulting shot arrowing beyond Schmeichel and into the net.

Howson did make amends three minutes later when, after seizing possession following a mix-up between Robbie Savage and Russell Anderson, he unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of Becchio to score.

Unfortunately for the vociferous home crowd, Richard Naylor then shot against the crossbar before Derby restored their lead as United's backline was once again left exposed by a lack of midfield protection.

Commons was the beneficiary this time, being allowed to advance 20 yards to pick out Tomasz Cywka who was then tripped by Lloyd Sam. Commons duly sent Schmeichel the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Grayson moved to tighten up his side during the half-time break by instructing Neil Kilkenny to stick tighter to Green and the back-four not to defend as deep.

Matters did improve, though the visitors were still able to create a host of chances that, but for Schmeichel, would have seen the Rams come close to inflicting a defeat every bit as emphatic as the 5-2 reverse Leeds suffered at Newcastle in 1989 on the last occasion an opening game yielded no points.

United's debutant showed great agility to deny Green on 58 minutes before stunning Hulse with a one-handed save that was made even more impressive by the follow-up from Commons also being blocked on the line.

Then, as if that was not enough, Schmeichel found time to keep out a late effort from substitute Chris Porter after the home defence had been slow to react to Savage's free-kick.

It ensured the son of Manchester United legend Peter left the field to a standing ovation, but crucially with no reward to show for his Herculean efforts.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Kris Commons

Tired towards the end, but by then he had played a major part in Derby claiming victory with an outstanding display to just pip Kasper Schmeichel as the game's outstanding performer.

Villain: Robbie Savage

It could not really be anyone else but football's pantomime villain, whose every touch was jeered – even when, along with his team-mates, he walked the final 500 yards to Elland Road after the team bus became stuck in traffic.

Key moment

62 seconds; that was all it took for Kris Commons, in gliding through two tackles on the edge of the United area before shooting wide, to realise he had the beating of the home side.

Ref watch

Neil Swarbrick: Incurred the wrath of the home crowd but got the penalty award right, Lloyd Sam appearing to clip Tomasz Cywka's right leg a fraction of a second before getting the ball.

Verdict

Leeds showed plenty of promise in attack but it was still worrying to see their defence opened up so easily by a Derby side who are a long way from being the best they will face this season.

Quote of the day

'There's only one Don Revie.'

The Leeds fans, making it clear to Derby manager Nigel Clough just how much they adore the man his father loved to hate.

Next game

Leeds United v Lincoln City; Tomorrow, 7.45pm; Carling Cup, first round.