Sun 22 Sept 2001
Leeds 3 Derby 0
In the end we went back to the top with a fairly comfortable win against
shite opposition. However there were times in the second half when Leeds
needed a second goal to kill of an increasingly confident Derby side.
I was worried that after two successive 0-0 home draws against the Rams
we'd spend a frustrating 90 minutes trying to break down their 11 man
rearguard.
My concerns were misplaced.
The best possible thing happened. Ravanelli wound the Leeds fans up in
the first 5 minutes by ludicrously feigning an injury. This in turn got
the Leeds players fired up and before we knew it we were 1-nil up. Bakke
flicked in Harte's corner with a towering header at the South Stand end.
A minute earlier Derby had the ball in the Leeds net after Martyn and
Rio kicked it against each others shins several times and it rolled into
the corner. Luckily Ravanelli's ample belly was in an offside position
and how can anyone with such lovely silver sparkly hair not be
interfering with play ?
Ravanelli charged after the referee to complain. He should have been
booked and kicked in the bollocks for good measure.
So poor old Derby had to revert to Plan B (attack) at an early stage.
Christie caught the eye with some neat touches and clever running but
the fat lump Ravanelli beside him simply couldn't be arsed. Thankfully.
Leeds played some reasonable football but a second goal never really
looked forthcoming before the break despite Millsey's ravaging forays
into enemy territory.
Leeds got a free kick on the edge of the box. Derby argued, the ball was
moved forward a further 10 yards, the wall only went back about 3 and no
wonder Harte couldn't quite squeeze his free kick through them.
At half time Paul Reaney (a Leeds great from 30 years back) when asked
by the man with the microphone, said that he thought Viduka and Keane
were shite. Not his exact words but that's what he meant. The crowd knew
though.
Derby started the brighter in the second half and strangely Kinkladze ,
our tormentor at Pride Park last season, remained on the bench.
A game of attack v defence ensued. Derby threw men forward and had an
attack. Rio or Batty won the ball and Leeds broke and all ran forward
and had an attack. Invariably Kewell lost the ball and Derby started the
whole process over again. Quite interesting to watch but a coach's
nightmare.
Matteo had a few mad minutes that could have proved crucial. Christie
left Dom for dead with a neat turn and I can only assume that faced with
a one-on-one against Martyn the young Derby striker's bowels could not
cope and he messed himself. The ball dribbled tamely to Nigel. Martyn
asked for a towel to wipe down the ball, Christie asked for some spare
underpants.
Ravanelli outmanoeuvred Dom but the danger was soon snuffed out. Minutes
later Ravanelli planted a free but angled header narrowly wide.
Leeds breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Kewell picked up the ball and faced with 8 men beat the first 5 by
cleverly pushing it and running. He then lost it. Half the crowd were
exasperated but the other half revelled in the initial piece of
acceleration that got him clear of half the opposition. The Kop sang his
name. He was visibly lifted.
The next time birthday boy Harry (23) got the ball he took the defender
on but instead of stopping and beating him again (and failing) he
actually shot and the ball pinged off the far post and into the net. So
simple you wonder why he doesn't try it more often.
Derby were finished. Absolutely and utterly finished.
Mills and Bowyer combined down the right and Bowyer's cross saw Kewell
force the advancing Viduka out of the way (by god Harry must be a strong
lad) and powerfully nodded the ball home from 8 yards. A beauty. Viduka
must have thought the earth had moved.
Kewell could hardly believe it. The crowd certainly couldn't. A miracle
had happened. Dog shit had been turned into gold. Not even Jesus could
have contemplated that.
Leeds then played keep ball and created 2 wonderfully crafted chances
that both Keane and Bowyer could have had goal of the month contenders
with. Both chances were brilliantly saved by the Derby keeper.
It would have been a good time to use our subs and rest a few legs in
preparation for Thursday's important and tricky UEFA tie but O'Leary had
superglued them all to the bench. Presumably it was punishment for them
laughing at his turned up nose and cheap Top Man suit.
Scores/
Martyn 7 - One real save to make from Christie and did it easily.
Kicking was good but played Harte into trouble once.
Mills 8 - back to his best. Went forward very well and took on their
defence both on the inside and the outside. Good crossing too. Pity he's
so bald at his tender young age.
Harte 6 - hasn't got the legs to do what Mills does. Its a shame he's so
crap apart from free kicks every now and then.
Rio 9 - didn't put a foot wrong. Never hurried and always supreme
control. Sheer class.
Matteo 7 - had a few mad minutes when he let Christie through and then
Ravanelli. Otherwise looked pretty solid.
Batty 8.5 - played a blinder gave Bakke the chance to advance with the
ball. Won every loose ball going.
Bakke 7.5 - One of his best games for Leeds. After seeing Gary Kelly
look a complete mug in the midfield last week it was obvious just how
much we've missed Eirik's cover.
Bowyer 6 - looked a bit rusty. Passing is still far too sloppy and
although he ran well near the end he had a pretty plop game by his high
standards. He seems to hate playing out wide.
Kewell 8 - A very high mark considering he had a shocking first 70
minutes but 2 goals more than made up for it. Hopefully his confidence
will have rocketed now. Happy Birthday H.
Viduka 6.5 - Needs a goal or two. Maybe he could shoot more often just
like Kewell did for his 1st goal.
Keane 5.5 - cannot be faulted for effort but far too often lost the ball
too easily. Needs to be on the bench ideally. Looks overpriced at 12
million. Looks overpriced at 25p.
Subs/
All shit so none of them used.
--
stotty
Click to return to Stotty's homepage
