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Derby Stun Leeds To Reach Play-off Final

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Substitute Jack Marriott was the hero as Derby stunned Leeds to set up a Championship play-off final against Aston Villa after a wild night at Elland Road.

The hosts took the lead on the night to go 2-0 up on aggregate when Stuart Dallas tapped in after Liam Cooper’s header had hit the post.

Marriott levelled with his first touch before half-time after a horrendous mix-up at the back between Cooper and keeper Kiko Casilla.

The Rams turned the tie on its head after the break through Mason Mount and a Harry Wilson penalty, only for Dallas to drift in and fire Leeds back level on aggregate.

Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi was then sent off for a poor challenge on Bradley Johnson before Marriott won it late on with a composed finish.

There was still time for Derby defender Scott Malone to join Berardi in being dismissed after collecting a second booking in time added on.

For Leeds, who finished third in the table, defeat means their spell outside the top flight will stretch to a 16th year.

Derby, meanwhile, become the first team to lose the first leg of a Championship play-off semi-final at home and go on to reach the final.

Rams stage improbable comeback on incredible night

There had been no indication of what would transpire on this crazy night in West Yorkshire when Dallas put Leeds in front.

They had won all three of the previous meetings between the two sides this season by an aggregate of 7-1 and Derby looked short of ideas when they did manage to launch any attacks.

However, with half-time approaching, Rams boss Frank Lampard brought Marriott on for midfielder Duane Holmes and the former Peterborough man had an instant impact, tapping in after Cooper and Casilla ran in to one another to leave him with an open goal.

Derby County striker Jack Marriott
Jack Marriott netted the first of his two goals with his first touch

A brilliant finish from Chelsea loanee Mason Mount put them in front on the night and Harry Wilson, on loan from Liverpool, kept his composure to fire home from the spot after Cooper pulled Mason Bennett’s shirt in the area to put Derby ahead in the tie for the first time and spark wild scenes in the away end.

Leeds responded well and Dallas deservedly pulled one back to draw them level at 3-3 on aggregate with a wonderful finish, but Berardi’s red card shifted the momentum once more and defender Richard Keogh sprinted out of defence to play a measured pass for Marriott to poke in and book the Rams a trip to Wembley on Monday, 27 May.

Leeds fall short again

With four games of the regular season to go, Leeds had been in the driving seat to win automatic promotion after a hugely impressive season under veteran Argentine head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

However, they suffered a shock home defeat by strugglers Wigan on Good Friday before losing at Brentford three days later as their three-point lead over Sheffield United turned into a three-point deficit that they were unable to overturn.

Stuart Dallas and Pablo Hernandez
Leeds United have been outside the top flight since 2004

With many fans fearing their moment had passed, they put in an assured performance at Pride Park in the first leg to come into this game with a one goal advantage but, once more, they could not finish the job.

Bielsa reflected that the defeat by Wigan that took their momentum away had been “the decision of God”.

He now faces a huge decision of his own whether to carry on as Leeds boss after a hugely emotional campaign that saw him pay a £200,000 fine after the club were reprimanded for sending a member of staff to watch Derby train before the league game between the teams at Elland Road in January.

Entertainment Gists

RUAN-Badkid.96: The Unfiltered Voice Recommitting African Sound to Truth

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RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.

Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.

Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.

For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.

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Entertainment Gists

Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype

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If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.

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Entertainment Gists

Uncle Wisdom The Mind Behind The Motion – Talent Manager/A&R

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MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.

CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.

In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.

PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.

Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.

INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others

LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.

CONTACT & SOCIALS

Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt

TikTok: @unclewisdom7

Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com

Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027

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