Uefa Cup: Leeds/PSV play out scoreless draw

PSV Eindhoven 0, Leeds 0 (full-time)

Leeds restored lost pride and credibility as they rose to the challenge of another night of European action to give themselves hope of reaching the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

David O’Leary’s side will face PSV Eindhoven in next Thursday’s second leg of the fourth round as strong favourites following this deserved goalless draw at the fortress of the Philips Stadium.

Away from home, however, the reigning Dutch champions - who stressed they had to win this game if they were to have any chance of progressing - have lost all four of their European ties this season.

In light of Leeds’ woeful disciplinary problems this was a rare current chance for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to watch Danny Mills, Alan Smith and Lee Bowyer in action.

Eriksson is still waiting for a decision from the Football Asssociation on whether he can pick Bowyer, and the injured Jonathan Woodgate, for fast-approaching friendlies as the countdown continues towards this summer’s World Cup.

Bowyer’s hopes, along with those of Smith and Mills, have been fading over the Far East horizon as the FA have cracked down on the trio following recent hearings into a spate of incidents.

It would appear Eriksson has still not given up on the United ‘bad boys’, and would have certainly been encouraged by Mills’ competent, composed performance at right-back - with Gary Kelly the man to make way.

With Robbie Fowler ineligible - he played for Liverpool in the Champions League at the start of the season prior to his £11m move three months ago - manager David O’Leary reunited Mark Viduka and Smith up front.

It was a partnership which terrorised defences across Europe last season en route to Leeds reaching the Champions League semi-finals, with Smith playing his first game for nearly six weeks, and again giving his all for the cause.

Bowyer, stalling over signing a new five-year contract, looked hungry for this tie, making a mockery of suggestions that poor recent displays mean he is no longer happy at Elland Road and looking to leave.

But while this was not the exhilarating performance which lit up some of United’s adventures across the continent last season, it was certainly in stark contrast to the patchy, off-colour form they had previously shown in this competition.

Bearing in mind Manchester United had suffered a 3-1 Champions League defeat five months ago on this ground, Leeds can gain satisfaction from this result.

It was a game which was always going to be difficult as PSV went into it having lost just one of their last 36 league matches at home stretching back over a two-year period.

But Leeds grew in confidence after a shaky start, particularly after an encouraging first half in which the home side looked frustrated as they headed for the tunnel at the interval.

But perhaps there was no one more frustrated than Viduka, who was denied the opener by two goal-line clearances in the space of 60 seconds at the midway point of the initial 45 minutes.

Leeds had weathered early, and not unexpected, PSV pressure before countering to near crucial effect in the 21st minute, with the first opportunity arising after Alan Smith had been hacked down by Andre Ooijer.

Ian Harte’s whipped-in free-kick from wide on the left picked out Viduka at the far post for a cutback header which Ooijer knocked away, only for further agony to follow just moments later.

Viduka and Smith first combined superbly just outside the PSV area, with the latter latching onto a pass from his strike partner and attempting a chip over the advancing Patrick Loudewijks.

The PSV keeper, however, produced a superb point-blank block which forced the ball up into the air for Viduka to then power a header goalwards, but the Australia star was thwarted again as striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink hooked away.

Either side of such heartache, though, it was PSV who enjoyed the majority of the chances, with Nigel Martyn in sensational form in the opening minutes.

Mark van Bommel, who has stated his desire to move to a team in the Premiership this summer, and Ooijer watched as the England international produced two fingertip saves to the relief of the United camp.

But it was a Martyn mistake in the 27th minute which almost cost Leeds as the 35-year-old weakly punched clear a Dennis Rommedahl right-wing cross into the path of the awaiting George Gakhokidze.

With Martyn stranded and prone, the Georgian international drilled in a 20-yard shot which clearly struck Dominic Matteo on his right arm and despite claims for a penalty, Leeds were indebted to Italian referee Stefano Braschi for not pointing to the spot.

It was Leeds who then looked the most likely to score after the break as PSV were forced into long-range shooting which posed little threat to Martyn or his defence.

At the other end Lodewijks saved sharply down at his near post after an angled Harry Kewell drive had taken a slight deflection, while Bowyer flashed a fierce shot through the six-yard box following Harte’s knockdown to a long ball from skipper Rio Ferdinand.

When the final whistle sounded, it was clear who were the more delighted side, although Leeds are still without a win since New Year’s Day.