After as rambunctious a play-off second leg as can possibly be imagined Derby County claimed the right to face Aston Villa in next week’s final to try for promotion to the Premier League. It was end-to-end entertainment all night, a feast of incident, goals and excitement, and neither side deserved to lose despite Scott Malone’s late dismissal for a second yellow depleting both by the end.It never ceases to astonish how full-blooded and thrilling these play-off encounters can be, when both sides must know that the likely prize on offer, financial considerations aside, will be a season of toil and tribulation in the top flight. Dreams shattered, Leeds players hit the deck in the manner of Ajax a week ago as the final whistle sounded. They had been true to Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking traditions but let themselves down in defence on a couple of occasions. Frank Lampard now has a shot at the big time at the end of his first season as manager. Related: Leeds 2-4 Derby (agg: 3-4): Derby reach Championship play-off final – live reaction! Related: Aston Villa beat West Brom on penalties to reach Championship play-off final Continue readingreadfullarticle
