By Rich B
November 30 2003

Leeds notched up their first win in 6 Premiership games as they beat Charlton at The Vallet in front of 26,445 people - Full match report

Saturday 29th November 2003 could go down in history as a very important date in the history of Leeds United Football club - It was the day Leeds produced a display on par with their European days, not seen for two years and the day it was revealed that the Sheik connection is planning a take-over of the Yorkshire club (see separate News item)

Leeds travelled away to Charlton, bottom of the table, low on confidence with a caretaker manager - the worst defe3ce in Leeds History let alone the Premiership against a Charlton side enjoying it's best start ever, riding high in fourth position and on a winning run.

Eddie Gray brought back Smith and Matteo following their Suspensions - Jermaine Pennant and Gary Kelly also came back in to the fold and the Caretaker Gaffer chose a 4-5-1 formation with the Duke up front on his own.

Leeds could have had a penalty as early as the second minute when Smith was tripped as Leeds pushed forward - they dominated the opening of the game, pushing forward and bearing down on a Charlton defence that looked overawed - The pressure paid off in the ninth minute when Milner passed to Viduka who fed him a return ball as the seventeen year old continued his run. - the youngster coolly finished past Kiely and Leeds were a goal up!

It's hard to believe that the simple matter of going a goal up can put the fans into a frenzy and you wouldn't have been surprised to see Leeds put 11 men behind the ball and try to defend for the next 81 minutes - not today.  Leeds continued to push and dominate - Viduka did a fantastic run through the flailing Charlton defence and got right into the goal mouth - only for the the Charlton Kiely to somehow keep the ball out - On 24 minutes he could have had a penalty as well as Fish pulled him all over the place as he controlled the ball on his chest - this was going to be the big mans day though and he still managed the swivel and get a shot on target.

Charlton did have chances though but Leeds were defending well - minutes after the penalty appeal was turned down, Holland got through a scrum of players to head against the bar - this season you could expect the ball to fall at the feet of some leading goal scorer for the opposition - again though it was Leeds who reacted quicker and Matteo was able to clear.

Leeds continued to surge forward - they were quicker to the ball and looked composed and skilful throughout - it was a different side to the one we are used to seeing and as the half time whistle blew, Leeds were looking good for the win.

Charlton came on the attack in the second half.  Radebe nearly gave away a penalty and Matt Holland belted a shot towards the goal that was only a yard or so wide.  Leeds were defending well though, particularly Michael Duberry who looked a tower of strength at the back.  They continued to pressure Charlton as well and could have had a second when Kiely -dropped the ball - Pennant was unable to capitalise though.  leeds went close again when Kelly was fouled - Harte whipped a dangerous cross in that Chris Perry nearly headed into his own net - The ball rose just above the ar though.  The game was being played at high pace and special praise must e given to Mark Viduka - He hurried, rushed and closed down the Charlton defence better than I have ever seen him - He must have been getting lessons of Smudger or something but this was the difference today.

Charlton continued to carve out some openings - Euell went close and towards the end of the mach, Robinson produced a stunning save to deny a Cole header - but Leeds were never going to lose - Even in the dying minutes, Milner and Viduka both fired shots in - Viduka was unlucky too when he latched onto a poor backpass to the keeper - he chipped the ball well over Kiely but the loft of the ball gave Charlton the opportunity to get men back and clear away the danger.

Full time then and Leeds dreadful run of five defeats was at an end - Interestingly too was the fact that Leeds kept a clean sheet - the first since the 0-0 draw to Southampton in August.  The whole team played well and wanted to win and although he is not the permanent manager, Eddie Gray did something today that Peter Reid and Terry Venables have not been able to do with Leeds for the past two years!