Tel salutes battling Leeds

Under-pressure Leeds boss Terry Venables hailed his heroes following a brave display against Malaga on the Costa-Del-Sol.

Venables and his under-performing players have been in the firing line in recent times following a string of dire displays, particularly in the Premiership where they languish just four points off the relegation zone.

In this UEFA Cup third round first-leg, Leeds put their recent woes behind them to ensure there was no further hell for El Tel on his return to Spain.

Leeds produced a spirited show which belied their recent run of just one win in their last nine league matches, with the only thing lacking from their clash at Estadio La Rosaleda being what would have been a richly-deserved goal.

Following the goal-less draw, a pleased Venables said: “That was an all-round team performance.

“I was delighted for the players because they worked very hard, defending from the front, and when we had to defend they did it very well.

“In the first half we played well and had the lion’s share of the game, but as it wore on, and in particular in the second half, Malaga played well.

“But we did go for it. We didn’t sit back and I felt that, without a doubt, we deserved a goal.

“It didn’t happen, and maybe that is the one disappointing aspect of the game, but to come here and get a draw against a strong Malaga side is still a very good result. We have to be satisfied with that.”

Alan Smith and Harry Kewell had the best of the game’s chances, but on three occasions in the first half they were denied by Spain international goalkeeper Pedro Contreras.

But for superb officiating from Italian referee Alfredo Trentalange then Leeds could easily have been down to 10 men, as Smith deservedly avoided what would have been the ninth red card of his career.

He stupidly pushed Romero to the ground in the 32nd minute, even though he had won the foul, but then four minutes later there must have been consternation on the Leeds bench when he lunged in to a 50-50 challenge with Contreras.

But television replays confirmed no contact was made, and although Contreras went to ground in pain, he had simply fallen awkwardly.

A baying crowd demanded the red card, but Trentalange proved himself in the face of such hostility, which earned Venables’ respect.

“I felt he (Smith) had put his foot up and although the goalkeeper ran on to him, he didn’t make contact,” said Venables.

“We all know the situation. He has already got a yellow card and you don’t want to lose Alan, particularly as he had a terrific game.

“He and Harry worked hard and we defended from those two. They set the standard.

“It’s always difficult when you’ve got a player like him on a yellow card. You are hoping he doesn’t get another one because that would be wrong, and at the same time, if he had got sent off that would also have been wrong.”

Malaga coach Joaquin Peiro offered his own thoughts on the incident as he said: “He got the yellow card (for the push), but then the referee showed a little bit of compassion.”

Despite Malaga now having scored just three goals in their last seven matches, Peiro feels his side have a chance to still reach the last 16, even though Leeds will start the second leg at Elland Road in a fortnight’s time as slight favourites.

“I am happy with 0-0 because we still have a chance to score in Leeds, with my players ambitious to do so,” added Peiro.