Soccer: Leeds have to be content with UEFA Cup

Leeds 3 Leicester 1

Alan Smith can expect an England call from Sven-Goran Eriksson tomorrow and the fiery striker did his chances of a first cap against Mexico on Friday no harm with a brace as Leeds got the win they needed.

Smith diverted an attempted Callum Davidson clearance into the Leicester goal to put Leeds one up after 28 minutes, then calmly fired under Tim Flowers in injury-time to secure maximum points.

But Elland Road joy quickly turned to disappointment as Liverpool’s handsome victory at Charlton robbed David O’Leary’s men of a return to the Champions League they graced with such distinction this season.

The game appeared to meandering towards a score draw when Ian Harte capped an excellent campaign by fooling the Leicester defence and curling a free-kick home from the edge of the box from a standing start as the visitors anticipated a Danny Mills piledriver.

Smith’s second which took his tally to 18 maintained Leeds’ impressive end of season burst and left them rueing a string of defeats in the middle of their campaign which at one stage had them peering over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

A bizarre Rio Ferdinand own-goal levelled the game shortly afterward Smith’s opening strike and though Leeds pressed hard for their deserved win, it was not one of their most cultured displays.

Unlike the majority of mid-table Premiership sides, Leicester entered the battle with a point to prove. Peter Taylor’s side briefly topped the table in September but have since plummeted down the table and only arrested a run of eight successive Premiership defeats with a win against Tottenham a fortnight ago.

They started brightly, forcing the first corner and half chance. Skipper Robbie Savage set about disrupting the Leeds midfield and while Ade Akinbiyi and Dean Sturridge may not be the most skilful striking duo, they have enough pace to unsettle the most robust of defences.

However, as the opening period wore on Leeds steadily took command and after Smith had put his team in front, it was some surprise that the visitors fought their way back.

In fact, the reply was almost instant and owed much to the ill-luck O’Leary feels his team have suffered all season. Andy Impey floated over a free-kick from the right hand side, which Junior Lewis met with a firm header five yards out, which struck the crossbar.

Even at £18.5million, Rio Ferdinand has proved an astute buy for the Elland Road club, but the home skipper could do little to avoid the rebound striking him on the knee and the defender looked on in anguish as it trickled over the line.

Although on balance of play, the equaliser was barely deserved, Leicester did deserve some reward for the stoic defending. That Leeds were by now starting to pass up regular opportunities did not go un-noticed among another capacity crowd.

Marshall redeemed his earlier error by clearing after Flowers had superbly tipped a rolling effort from Viduka onto his post. Viduka was seemingly content to play the role of unselfish forager for much of the afternoon, most of the chances falling to either Lee Bowyer or Kewell from wider positions.

Kewell became a father for the first time yesterday, but though his cross for Smith’s opener was superb, his shooting left much to be desired.

An angled drive flew over after Marshall had gifted the Aussie star possession on the edge of the area after the break and another shot fizzed past Flowers’ left-hand post as the failure rate began to mount.

Flowers was forced into a hurried stop when a Bowyer volley emerged through a pile of bodies, but other than that, the former England keeper managed to deal comfortably with most of his work and when problems arose, the woodwork came to his rescue.

Olivier Dacourt was fortunate to escape a red card after hauling down Marshall within minutes of being booked for a late tackle on Akinbiyi. But the Frenchman has contributed much to Leeds’ monumental effort in Europe this season and was withdrawn to standing ovation 20 minutes from time after twice going close to putting his team back in front.

The first opportunity came after Dacourt’s mazy dribble to the by-line. He lofted a brilliant cross to the far post, where Viduka arrived and promptly struck the upright with a close range header.

It was the crossbar’s turn to rattle next, Dacourt doing the damage himself with a viciously curling effort which proved to be his last touch before the arrival of Jason Wilcox.

Leeds looked to have run out of ideas, but Harte’s effort galvanised them for another late burst. And though the Yorkshire side have no Champions League final to look forward to next week, Smith at least could see meaningful action.