By Andy Baggott
December 15 2003

Goals from Michael Duberry, Mark Viduka and Dominic Matteo gave Leeds a well deserved and much needed win in a highly entertaining game at Elland Road. The game started quietly, with most of the battles in midfield. Both teams played a 4-5-1 formation, and the middle of the pitch was congested. Leeds though, had an out ball, with Jermaine Pennant giving Fulham full back Jon Harley a tough time. Pennant teased the left back, and delivered quality crosses, but Fulham defended well. Just before half time, Leeds took a deserved lead. Smith was fouled, and up stepped Harte. The Irishman seems to have a new lease of life under Eddie Gray, and his free kick forced Van der Saar into a save. However, the keeper couldn’t hold it, and the rebound went straight onto Duberrys knee, and into the net. The big centre back is another who is enjoying life under Gray. He defended solidly all game, and the goal was his first for three years. After the interval, Leeds got the perfect start. Viduka (yet another picking up form), got the ball on the edge of the area, beat a man, and hit an unstoppable 20 yard shot into the corner – it was a superb goal, and richly deserved for the front man. Leeds though, then committed the cardinal sin, and let Fulham straight back into the game – just over a minute later, Saha shot from the edge of the area, and his low shot found the corner. It was all on now, as Leeds were under pressure – Robinson saving well from Saha. The home side pushed though, and Pennant was unlucky to see two shots bounce off the crossbar – one a thumping drive, the other a deflected cross. Milner was producing some good stuff down the left, and we looked to have weathered the storm. There was a sting in the tail though, when Saha drilled another shot from the 20 yards, that Robinson couldn’t keep out. It looked like we had thrown away two vital points, but there is a new found belief in this Leeds team. Harte took a free kick from the right, and hit a superb vall in. Up rose Matteo and guided a header into the goal for the winner. There was still time for both keepers to pull off superb saves, with Pennant unlucky to see his volley tipped wide, and there was relief all round when ref Neale Barry blew for full time. Boss Eddie Gray has to take a lot of credit for the way he has turned things round, as do the players, and we go into next Mondays game at Man City full of confidence.

Ratings

Robinson 6 – two good saves, but could have done better with 2nd goal

Kelly 7 – good balls for Pennant

Harte 8 – excellent delivery, and strong defending

Radebe 7 – read the game well

Duberry 8 – goal and resoloute defending

Matteo 8 – great winner and all heart

Smith 7 – all action display

Batty 6 – quite game, but did job well

Milner 8 – electric in second half

Pennant 8 – caused problems all game

Viduka 9 – superb goal, and great hold up play