Reid the key, claims Viduka

Leeds 2 Tottenham 2

Mark Viduka may not know the secret to his rampant scoring form – but he certainly believes Peter Reid holds the formula to success.

Viduka took his tally to 17 for the season against Tottenham yesterday by scoring both Leeds goals, including a penalty equaliser 14 minutes from time, to ensure Reid’s home debut as interim-manager did not end in defeat.

The Australian has now scored nine goals in his last five league games and is again showing the kind of form which is certain to alert a number of clubs at home and abroad, particularly with Leeds still in deep financial trouble.

Whether Viduka stays or goes in the summer remains to be seen. But for now he is doing his damnedest to ensure Leeds stay in the Premiership, which could be enough to land Reid the full-time post at Elland Road.

Despite the fact former boss Terry Venables was liked by the Leeds players, the results did not come.

Reid has been in the job only three weeks. But he appears to know what makes players tick, and Leeds have played the kind of enterprising football in their last two matches which was scarcely in evidence under Venables.

Although Leeds are still not out of the relegation woods, Viduka said: “The way the confidence is at the club at the moment we’re looking at the teams above us, rather than below.

“There’s five more games to go, and we’re quite confident we can get a lot more points under our belts.

“Peter’s brought confidence back into the team. He’s got a lot of energy and a lot of passion for the game.

“I think some of the players needed a bit of motivation. When things aren’t going well team morale goes down – it starts spiralling, and confidence goes.

“But Peter’s brought with him fresh views, motivation – and you can see that by the way we are playing.”

Viduka clearly seems to be benefiting because he has now scored six goals in the three games Reid has been in charge – but he cannot pinpoint why he is suddenly in such a rich vein of form.

“Things are buzzing, and it’s good – but I haven’t a clue as to why. If I knew what the secret was then it would be a secret that wouldn’t last long,” he said.

“I’m just a little disappointed by the result. But in the end a point is not bad, although we thought we deserved more than that.

“We started the game like a house on fire. We were at them straightaway, and they didn’t have much of a plan.

“But as soon as they scored their first goal we dropped off and then we conceded another pretty quickly. It surprised us a little bit the way the game turned around.”

Viduka had fired Leeds ahead in the 31st minute, and deservedly so as United played the opening 35 minutes in much the same vein as they had when destroying Charlton throughout the 90 minutes at The Valley last week.

But then two goals in three minutes from Teddy Sheringham and former Leeds striker Robbie Keane, returning to haunt his old club following a £7million move last August, left Leeds stunned.

Reid described the defending for the goals as “terrible” and will be looking to tighten up defensively over the remaining five games in a bid to garner the points needed to guarantee safety.

Leeds then lost their way in the second half. But Kasey Keller’s challenge on Harry Kewell inside the area allowed Viduka to sidefoot home a point-saving spot-kick.

Viduka is adamant it was a penalty, reporting he was “right behind Harry”. But Keller was left disappointed by referee Rob Styles’ decision, particularly because Lucas Radebe – 34 yesterday – appeared to have fouled Simon Davies in the area late on.

“I definitely had control of the ball. It was clearly in my hands,” said Keller.

“There’s always angles, and people see things differently. But then when Simon is going through at the end and there’s no call that’s when it gets a bit frustrating.”

The point was not good enough in Spurs’ bid for European football next season. But Keller, refusing to write off his side’s chances, said: “As long as there is a mathematical chance then you keep fighting.

“We’ve some good home games coming up, and if we win those then let’s see what happens.”

While Reid looks certain to steer Leeds to safety, his former club Sunderland are looking to next season in the Nationwide League after their relegation was confirmed with yesterday’s 2-0 defeat at Birmingham.

Reid at least spared a thought for his old club.

“I had seven-and-a-half great years there,” he remembered.

“It’s a fantastic football club – and, of course, I’ve got to have sympathy with them.

“I’m sure with the structure of the club and with Mick McCarthy there they will bounce back.”