Leeds Prove A Point

Last updated : 17 August 2003 By Kevin Markey
In a fantastic opening season game, Leeds showed they could still be a threat to be reckoned with and put to bed all the negative words being said about them pre-season.

Peter Reid's new Leeds side confounded critics and bookmakers alike as they appeared anything but one of the pre-season favourites for relegation, which they only narrowly avoided last season.

Leeds have lost none of their fighting instinct, and had not Alan Shaerer grabbed a late equaliser, we could easily have took 3 points away from this game.

All things being equal though you would have to admit a draw was a fair result. Leeds started brightly, and new boy Lamine Sakho made a big impression down the left.

His was the most eye-catching performance and he was involved in almost every incisive Leeds move, that was once the boos and derogatory chants had been dispensed with towards Lee Bowyer, making an Elland Road return alongside Jonathan Woodgate.

Playing on the left wing now Harry Kewell has departed to Liverpool, the 25-year-old could be a shrewd signing if he continues to live up to the potential he showed against Newcastle.

Smithy went close a couple of times as we made the better start. Completely against the run of play though Newcastle took the lead on 20 minutes, Dyer getting the wrong side of Lucas, who tripped him for a nailed on penalty, which Shearer despatched, in front of the kop, to Robbo's left.

We bounced straight back - Morris picked up Sakho, who chested down, ran through two defenders, and laid it on for Viduka to despatch in the bottom right hand corner from 18 yards.

Elland Road went mental - what an atmosphere. After the break, a shocking header from Bernard let in Smith, who glided the ball past Given - 2-1, what was going on?

Domi replaced the excellent Sakho - more about him in a minute, and shortly after, to a standing ovation, we saw Batts thrown back into the fray to replace Wilcox.

Newcastle threw everything forward, and the one criticism could be that we sat back. Shearer eventually nudged home an equaliser after a defensive mix-up, and the game ended all square.

What of the new boys? Camara looked the part, Morris was steady in the middle, Domi fitted in well when he came on and Sakho? Well, what a performance - he had speed, skill and a desire to work.

MY
MAN OF THE MATCH: Alan Smith - Controlled aggression, the sort of performance in attack which makes you wonder why Venables used him in midfield.

Reid said he changed his tactics and asked his team to defend deep to counter the pace of Newcastle's Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Lee Bowyer.

"The players did tremendously well," said Reid.

"Newcastle have a lot of pace, we tried to slow the game down, drop off and let them have it, then try and consolidate the space in behind."

Reid was pleased with three of his new signings, adding: "I thought there were a lot of good performances. Jody did brilliantly for us today, he got up and down. Domi was tremendous and Sakho has ability and pace."