Barmby goal repays Leeds

Nick Barmby repaid a considerable slice of his summer fee by sparing Leeds’ UEFA Cup blushes as manager Terry Venables’ side scraped through to the second round.

Leeds started both legs of this first-round tie against Ukrainian unknowns Metalurg Zaporizhia as competition favourites, along with Lazio, but the bookies will surely be having a rethink following a below-par eastern European performance.

The game looked destined for extra time as a poor Leeds side found themselves trailing to a 24th-minute header from Irakli Modebadze, and the most embarrassing European result in United’s history was on the cards.

But Barmby, a close-season capture from Liverpool, sidefooted home the equaliser on the night and the winner on aggregate 14 minutes time.

But the fact Leeds failed to beat a team of Ukrainian minnows caretaker managed by the team’s goalkeeping coach – Metalurg’s last boss and his assistant were both sacked a month ago – does little to raise hopes an inconsistent start to the season is behind them.

Despite booking their place in the second round, Venables is certain to hold an inquest into this disappointing performance.