Story ProgressBack to home
Leeds United beat Leicester City
Leeds United beat fellow strugglers Leicester City 3-2 in a relegation six-pointer at Elland Road on Monday.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:06 AM IST
Read Time:3 min
Leeds:
Striker Alan Smith smashed home an invaluable winner with just four minutes remaining to give Leeds United a priceless three-two victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City in a relegation six-pointer at Elland Road on Monday. Two goals in two minutes from Michael Duberry and Mark Viiduka early in the first half appeared to have put Leeds in control but a similar burst from the visitors late in the second half saw them level the game and equlise at two-all after goals from substitute Paul Dickov and a brilliant strike from Muzzy Izzet. However, Smith's late goal earned the three points that brought the Yorkshire club level with Leicester on 28 points - Leeds remain second-last on goal difference but are now only two points adrift of Portsmouth and three away from Blackburn Rovers whose form has plummeted in the last few weeks. If ever there was a English Premier League relegation six-pointer', this was it. Leeds United, a famous club in financial crisis, second from bottom and in the relegation zone since October, versus Leicester City, third from bottom of the table and only three points better off than Leeds courtesy of a four-nil win over their opponents at the Walkers Stadium in October. However, Leicester were unbeaten in six games while Leeds had won two of their last three at home and when Seth Johnson's original corner was cleared to Gary Kelly, he returned the ball to Johnson whose pinpoint cross found the head of Michael Duberry who lost marker Matt Heath and nodded home. One nil to Leeds in the 11th minute. Just two minutes later and Elland Road had erupted. Didier Domi's high cross was flicked on by Jermaine Pennant before Alan Smith was blocked but he lobbed the ball to Mark Viduka who scored with a finely-executed overhead kick. The linesman shook his head as Leicester claimed offside but the visitors manager Micky Adams did not agree. After the interval, Ian Walker denied the livewire Smith on three occasions with wonder saves but then Marcus Bent played in substitute Paul Dickov who, after being played onside by Domi, fired the ball into the far corner to reduce the deficit. Two-one to Leeds in the 77th minute. Then, just two minutes later, James Scowcroft and Dickov release Muzzy Izzet into space and he drove an unstoppable shot into the top corner past a despairing dive from Paul Robinson. Two-all, a spectacular comeback had been completed and the goal was worth another look. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man and after Smith played the ball wide to James Milner, his fine cross was chested by Viduka back into the path of Smith and his powerful shot beat Ian Walker. Three-two after 86 minutes. Leeds still suffered a setback in injury-time when Viduka kicked the ball away after the whistle had gone to receive his second booking. Viduka saw red and he may miss crucial games but Smith's winner may prove to be more important on the final day of the season. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
Football
Get the Latest India vs England 2024 Updates and check out IND vs ENG schedules and IPL 2024 Auction. Read all the details related to the IPL 2024.Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more sports updates. You can also download the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS.