Premier League Leeds United avoided an FA Cup upset by producing a second-half comeback to defeat Championship side Derby County and reach the fourth round.
Two quickfire goals in less than four minutes from Wilfried Gnonto and Ao Tanaka before the hour mark put Leeds ahead after Ben Brereton Diaz’s first-half opener.
James Justin then scored on the counter attack to seal victory in stoppage time.
The tie burst into life following an untidy opening half an hour when Joel Piroe fired against the post from a tight angle with Leeds’ first opportunity of real significance.
That was the encouragement Farke’s side required and the visitors were soon awarded a penalty when Lukas Nmecha was brought down by goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom as he made his way into the box.
However, Zetterstrom made amends by saving Piroe’s spot-kick with an excellent dive to his right and, just two minutes and 20 seconds later, Diaz put Derby ahead by slotting a low first-time shot past Karl Darlow.
Leeds earned their reward for a purposeful start to the second half, with Gnonto and Tanaka making no mistakes when presented with their close-range opportunities.
The visitors were repeatedly frustrated by Zetterstrom in their search for a third which would have ensured a less nervy end to the match, but Justin eventually ended his resistance in the 93rd minute.
Premier League survival is undoubtedly the main priority for Leeds – and they have ensured they have a very real chance of attaining that on their top-flight return amid a promising upturn in results since late November.
With that objective at the forefront of his mind, Farke made eight changes for the trip to Derby – a side they beat home and away in the second tier last season – with in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin among the substitutes.
An eventful six-minute spell in the first half suggested it may not be Leeds’ day as Piroe was frustrated by both the woodwork and Zetterstrom before John Eustace’s well-organised Derby – 13th in the Championship – made the breakthrough.
But the vocal away supporters were able to celebrate when Gnonto blasted in his equaliser for his first goal in 14 appearances.
An efficient turnaround was then completed before the hour mark as Tanaka pounced at the back post following Zetterstrom’s initial save from Piroe’s goal-bound attempt.
Having looked thoroughly unimpressed at the interval, Farke was all smiles at full-time after watching his side bounce back from having their seven-match unbeaten run ended by two stoppage-time goals at Newcastle on Wednesday.
