There were two games in the English Premiership today. Leeds United travelled to Aston Villa hoping to put the tragic events of last week behind them but were only left more dismayed. As a result of a 1-0 defeat to a Julian Joachim goal they are now down to third in the table as Liverpool jump to second after defeating Tottenham 2-0 through Patrik Berger and Michael Owen efforts.
A week that Leeds will never forget ended in their fifth consecutive defeat, but it was the effect of the midweek tragedy in Istanbul that was most apparent at Villa Park when referee Barry Knight blew his whistle to signal a minute's silence, with the 34,000 crowd immaculately observing the tribute.
Leeds in fact started well and it Villa who had to thank goalkeeper David James for keeping them in the game. Then five minutes before the interval Villa took the lead in controversial circumstances when Joachim clearly looked to trip Gary Kelly as the two wrestled to gain possession of a long clearance from Barry. However Knight waved play on and Joachim was allowed to race forward and slip the ball wide of the advancing Nigel Martyn. Leeds kept up the pressure in the second half but could not find an equaliser and Villa held out.
Liverpool were no doubt thankful as they moved to second in the table. Patrick Berger scored their first with a cracker from 25 yards to after 34 minutes while Emile Heskey showed his progress at his new club, hitting the crossbar just before half-time. It was the former Leicester City striker who set up Michael Owen, his old friend from England Under-21 days, for the insurance goal on the hour mark.
Leaders Manchester United are away to Middlesbrough tomorrow at 8pm.
In the English First Division new Fulham boss Jean Tigana saw his side, still under the caretaker managership of Karl-Heinz Reidle, steal a late goal to draw 1-1 with Tranmere
