Leeds 2 Man U 3 AET - match report

By Andy Baggott
October 29 2003

Leeds lost a gripping cup tie last night, when a late Djemba-Djemba strike sealed a 2-1 win. Leeds can take a lot of heart from the performance though, and whilst Man U rested several players, we were without Viduka, Pennant, Matteo, Batty, Morris, Bakke, Radebe and Barmby.

Leeds started the stronger, and all that was missing was the final ball. Olembe impressed in central midfield, and almost broke clear to score, but was denied by Carrol.
After the break, Smith was rightly denied by the offside flag after Johnsons shot was parried, but minutes later, Leeds took a thoroughly deserved lead when Roque Junior headed home Harte’s corner. Leeds suffered a major blow though when Olembe went off injured. That proved to be the turning point, as there was no central midfield player on the bench, so Milner moved inside. The visitors managed to get an equaliser though when Bellion dubiously sprang the offside trap to score. In the last minute, Robinson produced a wonder save to spare Roque Juniors blushes when he deflected a cross. Man Utd were in the ascendancy, and extra time looked to be a problem for Leeds. However, the home side attacked, and when Chapuis was hauled down in the box, but ref Durkin was the only person in the stadium not to agree. As it often the case, Man U broke, and within a minute had scored, when Forlan tapped home. Leeds refused to back down and grabbed an equaliser, Milner squaring for Roque Junior to knee home. The Brazilian has had his share of stick since coming, but as well as his two goals, defended far better than he had previously, and seems to be adapting to the English game. However, Man Utd had the final word when Djemba-Djemba’s miss hit shot looped over Robinson for a winner. Good performances for Leeds from Milner, Roque Junior, Camara and Olembe